Franklin P. Chapman

As printed in 1898

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 A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio (1898). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.