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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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J. M. Chapman.

Among the successful and highly esteemed farmers of Washington township is J. M. Chapman, who was born in Bear Grove township, Cass county, on the 12th of April, 1858.  His parents, Milton and Elizabeth (Delp) Chapman, were natives respectively of Ohio and Germany, the father born June 14, 1817, and the mother November 17, 1820.  When six years of age she accompanied her parents to the United States and at the time of her marriage was living in Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Milton Chapman resided in the Buckeye state until early in the '50s and two children were born there.  On leaving that state they emigrated westward and located at Marion, Iowa, whence they went to Monroe county.  Their next removal was to Adair county and after living here for some time they became residents of Cass County, where the birth of our subject occurred.  In 1861 or 1862, however, the family returned to this county and located on section 6, Richland township, where the father resided until his death on the 23d of April 1891.  His widow survived him for a number of years and died on the home farm, October 7, 1896.

J. M. Chapman received his education in the district schools and remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age.  He then began farming on his own account, operating forty acres of land which he had previously purchased.  He also rented other land, which he and his brother William farmed in partnership.  Subsequently they bought the old homestead and adjoining land, owning in all two hundred and sixty-four acres.  In 1907, however, they traded that place for three hundred and twenty acres in Summit township.  A year later, however, they traded that for a two hundred and forty-acre tract on section 2, Washington township.  They continued to own it in partnership until March, 1914, when that relation was severed and our subject acquired one hundred and sixty acres of the property, which he still owns and upon which he resides.  He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and his progressiveness and industry enable him to secure a good financial return from his land.  He also owns stock in the Adair County Mutual Telephone Company.

Mr. Chapman was united in marriage on the 1st of September, 1885, to Miss Melissa E. Garry, of Richland township, and they became the parents of five children, three of whom survive, namely:  Femmie E., the wife of Arthur S. Wood, of Union county;  Maud M., who resides at home and is engaged in teaching;  and Pearl E., also at home.  Two sons died in infancy.

Mr. Chapman is a republican in politics and loyally supports the candidates of that party at the polls.  Both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church and can be depended upon to further the moral advancement of their locality in every way within their power.

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