Untitled Document

John W. Chapman

John W. Chapman, father of Chapman Brothers, editors of the Chronicle, published at Cambridge , was born Feb. 10, 1835 , in Madison , Ind. He is the son of John and Mary A. (McKin) Chapman, who were natives of the State of Ohio . The family to which he belongs is of English extraction, his grandfather, John Chapman, having descended from that nationality. The latter was a resident of Lancaster Co., Pa. His son John was the father of five children, --Elizabeth V., Henry C., William (deceased), John W. and M. Frances.

John Chapman, Sr., was born in Ohio , and died in Madison , Ind. , in 1841, at the age of 41. In early life he was a boatman on the Ohio River , and in later years he was a magistrate in the city of Madison . He also served as City Marshal and as City Assessor. He was a man of excellent abilities and was the recipient of general esteem.

His son, John W. Chapman, was reared in Madison , and there made himself ready for the contest of life by learning the trade of wagon-maker. March 2, 1858 , he was married to Catherine Sturgis. She was the daughter of Levick and Mary (Simons) Sturgis, and died Oct. 25, 1883 , at the age of 45. The three children to whom she gave birth are living, and are named William O. J. Harvey and Emma E. Mr. Chapman afterward removed to Indianapolis , where he followed his trade for eight years. In April 1876, he came thence to Cambridge , and has since been occupied in the pursuit of his vocation here.

His sons were educated in the public schools of Indianapolis , and began their acquaintance with journalism in that city, in the capacity of newsboys, which was their occupation while attending school. In the year succeeding that in which the family came to Cambridge , William O. Chapman, of the Chronicle, entered the office of that journal, then in the hands of George C. Smithe, and began to obtain a knowledge of the trade of a printer. He passed one year subsequently in Rock Island and at Davenport working at his trade. When Harvey Chapman reached the age of 14, he became at attaché of the Chronicle office, where he also learned his trade. Feb. 1, 1885 , the two brothers took charge of the paper, and are engaged in its successful management.

1885 Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry Co., Illinois page 551

Transcribed by Jan Roggy

Illinois Ancestors