My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM A. CHAPMAN. Perhaps no man living in township 4, range 2, Perry County, has been more intimately connected with its progress than the gentleman above named, and certainly no family stands higher in the annals of this region than that of which he is a worthy representative. He has been a resident of his fine farm since 1869, and he and his mother-in-law are joint owners of four hundred and forty acres of land, the greater portion of which has been placed under high cultivation through his own efforts.

The subject of this sketch is the son of Thomas H. and Virinda (Snow) Chapman, natives of Wilson County, Tenn., where they grew to mature years and were married. In 1850 they removed from Tennessee to Illinois and made their home in Washington County, where the mother died. In 1860 Thomas H., who had married again, came to Perry County. His family included six children: John S. and Agnes, deceased; William A., of this sketch; Sarah, the wife of W. S. Hungate, of Hamilton County; one that died in infancy, and Mary, who married John Halpin and is now deceased.

William A. Chapman was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1846, and was brought by his parents to the Prairie State in 1851, which place has since been his home. Here he received his education, and when reaching mature years was united in marriage, in 1869, with Miss Malina, daughter of George L. and Permelia Thomas. Mrs. Chapman is a native of Tennessee, from which state her parents removed to Illinois in 1842.

In 1864, while the Civil War was in progress, our subject offered his services to the Union and was mustered into Company D, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and served faithfully until the cessation of hostilities. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, participated in twenty-seven battles and skirmishes and witnessed the Grand Review at Washington. Since his return home, in October, 1865, he has given his undivided attention to farm pursuits. He settled upon his present estate in 1869, and by his energy and ability has made of it one of the most valuable tracts in this part of the county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were born eight children, as follows: Dora, Mary, Oliver, Ezra, Sophronia, Maud, Joe A., and one who died in infancy. Our subject has always been a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, whether in times of war or peace, and for the past twenty-one years has held the office of Justice of the Peace, performing his duties faithfully and satisfactorily to all concerned. He is a devoted member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and for the good principles which have governed his life he is justly respected by all who know him.