In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the go (1891)
ENJAMIN CHAPMAN, has been a resident of Harrison County since the spring of 1865, and is now located on section 2, of Union Township, where he has come to he a prosperous farmer. He accompanied his parents, to the county, and they rented a farm of Lindley Evans, in Cass Township, from where they moved to Harris Grove. At this point he started to the district school, being seven years of age. The family remained there two years, and then located where our subject now lives, improving a piece of wild land, building a house 18x20 feet, and a story and a half high; a barn 14x20 feet, together with numerous out buildings.
Benjamin remained with his parents until he was of age, and then farmer his father’s land for six years thereafter, and then bought the old homestead, around which still clings many a fond memory of those early pioneer days, when hope was their chief capital! He paid $4.50 for one “forty,” and $7.60 for the other, raising this amount in four years.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Thirza, Oliver, Valentine, Adalede, (deceased), and William T.*
Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, are the parents of the following four children — Benjamin O., born March 2, 1887; Arthur T., born August 29, 1888, (deceased); Albert, born October 2, 1889; John W., December 20, 1890.
Mr. Chapman in his political opinions, favors no special party. In religious matters he and his wife are believers in the Latter Day Saints faith.
Concerning the parents of our subject and their family/ it may be said that their names were John and Harriet (Coleman) Chapman, who were the parents of the following living children, — James, Elijah, Judah, John, Nephi, William, and Benjamin.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the go (1891). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1891. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.