The Chapman Families of Summit County, Ohio

JOHN CHAPMAN (deceased); was born in Cornwall, Eng., in the year 1812. He lived at home until he was 19 years of age, when he came to America, settling in Oswego, N. Y. He had worked in a flouring-mill before leaving home, and had a good knowledge of his trade. He was engaged in one of the mills in Oswego, where he remained until 1832. He then came to Akron for the purpose of putting the stone mill in operation which was being built. The owners not being pi'pared, he went to Middlebury and worked for McNorton & Noble, where he remained for some time. He then returned to iVkron and finished the stone mill, and in June, 1832, he made the first four ever made in Akron proper; he continued to run the mill for about a year. In 1833, he went to Rochester and worked at his ti'ade for about a year. He returned to Akron and took charge of the stone mill, where he remained for a short time. He was a practical mechanic and miller, and many of the early mills built in Summit Co. were erected under his supervision. He purchased a farm adjoining Akron, where he lived several years, then bought the farm his widow now lives on. In 1857, he married Phebe Budd, daughter of Solomon Budd, of Akron, who bore him four children — John L., Nellie, Caroline and Cora. Mr. Chapman died in April, 1881, after a short illness, at the age of 69 years. He was respected by all who knew him for his integrity and gentlemanly qualities. His widow and son John L. conduct the farming on the farm where Mr. Chapman had made many improvements.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN L. CHAPMAN, president of the Tallmadge Township School Board and a prominent citizen of this section, resides on the old homestead farm of eighty-five acres and in the old brick residence which was built seventy-six years ago, all the material for its construction having been produced on the farm, with the exception of the lime. Mr. Chapman was born at Akron, Summit

Ck)untj, Ohio, January 6, 1859, and is a son of John and Phoebe (Budd) Chapman.

The Chapmfin family is of English extraction. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Chapman were John and Elizabeth (Burt) Chapman. They came to America with their children and settled at Oswego, New York, where both died. They had the following children: Kichard, who lived and died near Bloomfield, New York; Mary, who married John Rowe, lived and died at Oswego, New York: Margaret, who died unmarried, in New York; William, who died at Wilton, Wisconsin, in 1875; Susan, who survived her husband, William Merchant, who disappeared and was supposed to have been killed for a sum of money in his possession; Charles, who died at Oswego, and John. The sons all learned the milling business with their father and they ran the same mill, an old tide-water one, which had been in the possession of the family in Cornwall, England, for generations. As some families were farmers as far back as can be traced, the Chapmans were millers.

John Chapman, father of John L. Chapman, of Tallmadge, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1812, and was nineteen years of age when he left England, and with other members of his family, settled at Oswego, New York. Although little more than a boy in years, he had a good knowledge of his trade and found immediate employment in the flour mills of that place, where he remained until 1832, when he came to Akron. He was a practical mechanic, a natural one, and understood the wheelwright trade and everything concerning not only the operating but the consti-action of mills and mill machinery. He came to Akron at first to start in operation the old stone mill, which was then being erected, but it had not been completed when he arrived, and he went to Middlebim and worked some time for the firm of McNorton & Noble.

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1833 he returned to New York, and for one year operated a mill at Rochester and then came back to Akron, and for a short time resumed work at the stone mill. He was called to different points to superintend the building of mills and many of those scattered over Summit County, which, in their day, were valuable adjuncts to the comfort and convenience of settlers, were either built by him or under his supervision. Mr. Chapman then bought a farm on which he lived for twenty-five years, and in 1872 he purchased the farm on which his widow and son still live.

In 1857 John-Chapman married Phoebe Budd, who still survives, and. they had six children: John, Nellie, Carrie, Cora, Alva and Charles, the latter two dying in infancy. John Chapman died in April, 1881, after a.<bort. illness, from pneumonia. His age was sixty-nine years and ten months. He was a man who commanded the respect of all who knew him.

The Budd family, of which Mrs. Chapman is a member, is an old one of the Empire State. Her grandfather, Underbill Budd, is on record as being a highly respected resident of Ithaca, New York, which city he left to accompany his son, Solomon Budd, to Ohio. He married Rebecca Townsend, and both he and wife died at Akron, Ohio. They had the following children: Debby Ann, who is deceased: John, who died in New York; Solomon, the father of Mrs. Chapman; Phebc, who married William B. Doyle; Hannah, who married Daniel Teeter, both died at. Tones%alle, Michigan; Elizabeth, who married Charles Stetson, died at Cleveland, and Erastus, who died at Akron, aged twenty years.

Mrs. Phebe J. Chapman was born at Elmira. New York. June 15. 1838, and is a daughter of Solomon and Emmeline fJarvis) Budd. The father of Mrs. Chapman was born in New York, July 4, 1813. and died at Akron, Ohio. May 21, 1891. His wife was born in New York, April IB, 1816, and died at Akron. May 1. 1883. He was a manufacturer of shingles, in the days when it was a hand indu.'trs'. In 1839 he came tf) Ohio and lived for one year at Canal Fulton, then returned to the East for a year. la 1842 he came back to Ohio with his wife and they lived at Akron during the remainder of their lives.

The children of Solomon Budd and wife were the following: Pliebe J., who became Mrs. Chapman; Mary E., born September 19,

1840, who died in childhood; Townsend C. born December 19, 1842, married Ellen Goodman, of Cleveland, and they reside at Akron; William H., born November 10,

1841, died in childhood; Aurelia A., born January 3, 1846, who is the widow of Jacob Denaple, who died in 1889, and Julia E., born April 18, 1848, who resides at Akron.

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In June. 1901. Mr. Chapman was married to Emma Blackburn, who is a daughter of William T. and Mary (Hurst) Blackburn, of Berea, Ohio, William T. Blackburn was born at Kent and his wife at Ithaca, New York, and both are deceased, the mother dying in 1900, aged sixty-eight years, and the father in 1904, at the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have one son. Earl, who was born September 9, 1905.

In political.sentiment. Mr. Chapman is a Kepublican and usually gives his support to candidates of thai party, but in local matters occasionally votes for the man he feels is best qualified for the otRce. He is no seeker for political honors for himself, lias tastes lying in a different direction. He is connected with several fraternal organizations, belonging to Elm Grove Lodge, No. 501, Tallmadge, formerly of the Aetolia Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Apollo Lodge, No. 61, Akron, of the Odd Fellows, and to the Pathfinders. In 1904 he was elected a member of the School Board under the new law, for a term of four years, and is its president.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

BYRON CHAPMAN, M. D., Copley Center; was born in the State of New York Jan. 8,

1822. He is a son of A. and P. (Lane) Chapman, who were parents of this family: Orson, Sally, Lovina, Melissa, Orlin, Lucius, Cynthia, William. Harlow. Loretta, Almeron, Byron and Lucinda. In the fall of 1835, this family came to Copley Township, and settled one-half mile south of Copley- Center, on 154 acres, of Lot No. 28. Byron remained here with his parents until 22 years of age, receiving a good common-school education. At that time, he commenced the study of medicine with his brother William, who was a practicing physician at Copley Center. He attended medical lectures at Cleveland for two years, and graduated in March, 1847. At the time of his graduation, his brother William, the doctor, was taken ill and soon died. Byron took charge of his brother's practice immediately, and meeting with excellent success he has remained there ever since. Dec. 23, 1847, he was united in marriage with Matilda A. Dils, daughter of Abrara Dils, and by her has two children: Willis D., born Oct. 3, 1848, and Fanny P., who is now the wife of Albert E. Hiestand. Willis married Ella A. Marriner; he is a civil engineer in Leadville, Colo. Mrs. Chapman is in very poor health. Mr. Chapman is a Republican in politics, and does quite an extensive business in his profession.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

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The Chapman family came overland from New York by teams to Copley township. Summit county, in the fall of 1835, and settled on a farm of 154 acres, one-half mile south of Center. Here Ashbel Chapman, who had fought at Lundy's Lane in the war of 1812, cleared up a comfortable home, and on this farm Byron was reared to manhood, attending in the meanwhile the common and more advanced school, until twenty-two years of age. Having now decided to adopt the medical profession as his life-pursuit, he commended the study of the science under his brother, William J., then a practitioner of some note in Copley. Later he attended lectures at Cleveland (Ohio) Medical college, from which he was graduated in March, 1847. But, just about this time, his elder brother and preceptor, William J., was suddenly called from earth and his field of usefulness, yet Byron felt no hesitancy in taking charge of the deceased physician's patients, whom he so skillfully treated that his reputation was at once established, and an increased and lucrative practice has been his ever since.

Dr. Byron Chapman was united in marriage, December 23, 1847, with Miss Matilda

Dils, then of New Hudson, Oakland county, Mich., but a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., born April 1 1, 1830, a daughter of Abram and Mary (Polhamus) Dils. To this union have been born two children, Willis D. and Fannie P.

Willis 1). Chapman was born October 3, 1 84S, and was educated in Copley and the Pennsylvania Polytechnic college of Philadelphia. He then became locating engineer on the Lake Shore ts; Tuscarawas Valley railway, held the position until 1871, and then filled a similar position on the Canada Southern railway from 1872 to 1876; was then engaged in general civil engineering, with headquarters at Toledo, Ohio, for two years; then was for two years mining engineer and United States deputy surveyor in Montana, and in Akron, Ohio, served as city engineer from 1886 until 1889, since which time he has been engaged in electric street railway construction in Akron, Canton and Zanesville, Ohio. At present Mr. Chapman is general manager of the Akron Street Railway & Illuminating company\ He has been a member of the American society of Civil Engineers since 1883, and also of the Ohio society of Civil Engineers. His marriage took place February 26, 1873, to Miss Ella A. Marriner, who was born in Akron May 5, 1849, and to this union have been born six children, viz: Charles A., Etha M., Willis D., Jr., Ella A., George B. and Fred. Fanny P. Chapman was born August 3, 1852, and is now the widow of Albert E. Hiestand, who was a prominent attorney of Akron. Mrs. Hiestand has her present residence with her parents in Copley, and is a lady of many estimable qualities.,

Dr. Chapman has been a member of the republican party since its organization, assisting as a delegate to Columbus, Ohio, when the party was founded in this state. He has served as postmaster seventeen years, as township clerk ten years, and as treasurer twenty-seven years. Fraternally, he is a member of Copley tent. No. 204, K. ( T. M., and has ever been a prominent man, professionally and socially, and has always held an advanced position in promoting the moral and educational interests of his county and state. The doctor has acceptably filled a position on the school board for about twenty-two years, which speaks volumes for him as far as the esteem in which he is held by the general public is concerned, but his professional eminence is the crowning glory of his life.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

M. CHAPMAN, farmer, P. 0. Hudson, was born in this township, west edge of Lot 84, Dec. 18, 1821, son of John and Eliza (Bassett) Chapman. Mathew was the eldest of a family of seven children, who were, Harriet, Mary, Ellen. John, Henry and Rufus. Our subject was raised to farming pursuits. In April 1849, he was married to Sarah B. Waite, born Sept. 25, 1828, in Boston Township, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Chapman, whose maiden name

:i£ was Kent. The above were early- settlers in Boston Township. With the exception of a few years of his early married life, which was spent in Boston Township, he has been a constant resident of this township, and engaged in farming and stock trading; lias 280 acres of land, and is a neat and successful farmer; has two children — Emily E., now Mrs. W. Morse, of Cleveland, and one son, William H., on home farm. John Chapman, the father of Mathew, was born in England, about the year 1788;.at age of 18 was pressed into the British Navy and during the war of 1812, served on the Hagship Queen Charlotte. At the time of Perry's victory he was captured by the Americans, taken to Chillocothe, where he spent one winter, then taken to Cleveland and exchanged. Shorth after, he came to this locality and engaged as a farm laborer; saving some means, he made his first purchase into Wadsworth Township, Medina County; afterward, traded his farm for land in the northwest part of this township, locating there about the 3-ear 1829, where he died Jan. 15, 18G6, having at the time 150 acres of land. He and wife were members of the Congregationalist Church; was Democratic in sentiment and a worthy citizen of the community.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

ALBERT CHAPMAN, retired farmer; P. O. Twinsburg; was born April 12, 1812, in Hampden Co., Mass., being the fifth of a family of nine children of Nathan and Eunice (Parks) Chapman. Nathan was born in Groton, Comi., and was the son of Isaac Chapman, who was a soldier in the Revolution, and to whom were born Elislia, Abner, Nathan, Isaac, Bradford, Susan, Mary and Thankful. To Nathan and Eunice were born Polly, Betsey, Oriel, Albert, Vinson, Norman, Aldin, Carlos and Laura. Albert's father was a first-rate farmer, and raised his sons to become tillers of the soil. Albert, leaving the parental home about the time he became of age, engaged his services by the month, and labored industriously. In 1887, he came West to this State, spending the first year at Kent, Portage Co.; he afterward went to Clay Co., Ind., where he bought 1()0 acres from the Government, and, shortly after, purchased 40 more. After nearly six years of pioneer labor, he traded his land for 65 acres in this township, where he removed in 1845. Here he has since resided. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Sarah Eno, born May 15, 1815, at East Granby, Hartford Co., Conn., daughter of Gay lord and Azubah (Phelps) Eno; her father was born in East Granby, and was a son of David, who was wounded while a soldier in the war of the Revolution; Azubah was a daughter of Azariah, of Welsh descent. Gaylord and Azubah had a family composed of David, Delia, Sarah, Lorenzo, Gaylord, Azubah, Charles, Lydia and Virgil. The worldly result of the labors of Mr. Chapman, assisted by his faithful helpmeet, is 250 acres of land, situated in the northern part of the township[ mostly on Lots 5 and 6; they have also valuable property in Cleveland. Since 1868, he has been retired from active business, and resides at the Center. They have two children: Nathan A., who married Grace How, having two children, Jennie G. and Albert C; Lydia, who married Ed Johnson, and has also two children: Albert E. and Arthur G. IVIi. Chapman is a Jiaptist, and his wife a Methodist.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

C. F. CHAPMAN, local manager of the American Sewer Pipe Company at Akron, was born in (his citv, in lSr)2. and is a son of the late Edgar T. Chapman, who was an early settler and later one of Akron's most prominent citizens. In early days he was postmaster of jMiddlebury and later was extensively engaged in the.stone-ware manufacturing industry.

C. F. Chapman was reared and educated in Middlebury, now East Akron. After leaving school he learned the pottery business and worked at the stone-ware trade for twelve years. In August, 1881, he became connected with the Akron Iron Company, at Buchtel, Ohio, where he remained until August, 1884. He then became associated with the Akron & Hill Sewer Pipe Company, which in March, 1900, was merged into the American Sewer Pipe Company, since which time he has been local manager. His long experience in this line has made him a very efficient man for the position. He has, besides, other business interests and is one of the representative busine.s.s men of Akron.

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As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANKLIN P. CHAPMAN, the enterprising boot and shoe merchant of Ravenna, Ohio, and probably the most extensive dealer in fashionable footwear in the city, was born in Rootstown, Portage county, August 1, 1852, a son of Edward E. and Melissa (Reed) Chapman, also natives of the Buckeye state and parents of five children, of whom four are still living, viz: Rose, wife of Nelson Loveland; William B., Franklin P., and Carrie, now Mrs. Charles Bogue.

Edward E. Chapman, in his earlier business life, was an itinerant merchant, and drove a notion wagon through the country, profitably disposing of his wares to the good housewives and others who were debarred ready access to the markets of the town merchants. He later engaged in the cigar and tobacco trade, and ceased his peregrinations. Horace Reed, the maternal grandfather of Franklin P. Chapman, had the proud distinction of being the first white male child born in Rootstown township. Portage county, and further concerning his ancestry may be found in the memoir of Judge C. A. Reed, on another page of this volume. Franklin P. Chapman was reared and educated in Rootstown until thirteen years of age, and then went to Cleveland, where, for a short time, he was employed as a bell-boy in the Weddell house. He then returned to Rootstown and for one term walked daily to Ravenna to attend school, as supplementary to his earlier education. His next step in life's progress was to learn the shoemaker's trade in Ravenna, and after having thoroughly mastered this business he started a shop in Rootstown, which he conducted about two years. June 19, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Tibbie Powers, the accomplished daughter of James and Rebecca (Windle) Powers. This union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Maud Irene, of whom they are justly proud. This young lady is a graduate of the Boston school of oratory, and in May, 1896, completed a post-graduate course in the Boston school of Expression, and in June of the same year was selected to represent this school at the Boston Art school recital.

From about the year 1873 until 1880 Mr. Chapman conducted a grocery store and shoe shop at Freedom Station, Portage county, and was the postmaster there for nearly seven years, having served until the close of the Garfield and Arthur administration. In 1880 he came to Ravenna and soon afterward bought out the interest of Mr. Sturtevant, of the shoe firm of Rumbaugh & Sturtevant, and for about ten years was in partnership with Mr. Rumbaugh, whom he bought out in 1892, since which time he has been doing a most successful business on his own account, and is carrying one of the finest and best assorted stocks of boots, shoes, etc., to be found within the limits of Portage county.

Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a member of the official board and treasurer for many years, and of the tenets of which he and his wife are strict observers, as well as liberal supporters of the church itself.

Fraternally Mr. Chapman is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Royal.Arcanum, and politically has always been a stanch republican, being at present clerk of the board of health, of which he was president in 1895.

Socially Mr. and Mrs. Chapman enjoy the esteem of a very large circle of friends, and as a business man his integrity and fair dealing have always been favorably commented upon; any one who once deals with him will ever after continue to patronize him. He has a most pleasant residence at the corner of Oak and Meridian streets, where his hospitable doors are always open to his numerous friends, who never tire of passing their hours at this home of culture and refinement.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.