John Chapman

As printed in 1881

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 History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.