Chapman, Fanny (Dils) 1814 - 1903

CHAPMAN, DILS, HAZZARD, MATHEWS, LAYTON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/28/2014 at 12:32:02

Arlington News, Arlington, Fayette Co., Iowa, 2 April 1903.

Fanny Dils was born in Monmouth Co., New Jersey, July 18th, 1814.

When six months of age her parents removed to Sennett, Cayuga Co., N.Y., where she grew to womanhood and on Dec. 3rd, 1834, was united in marriage to Dr. Jackson Chapman, and with him came to Copley, Summitt Co., Ohio. Here a home was made and her married life was spent. Seven children blessed this union, three of whom died in infancy.

Feb. 1st, 1849, Dr. Chapman, then a prominent physician of Summitt Co., passed to the great beyond and was laid to rest with his three little ones. Shortly after the death of her husband, Mrs. Chapman with her four remaining children removed to Elkhart Co., Indiana, residing there until after the close of the Civil War. When her country called she heroically sent forth her three sons to engage in that horrible conflict, one of whom, the eldest, was killed in the battle of Chickamauga, and sleeps in an unknown grave in the sunny southland.

In Oct., 1867, she came with her daughter and two sons to Highland, Iowa, to the home where she has since resided and where on Sunday morning, March 15th, 1903, aged 88 years, 7 months and 27 days, she passed away, surrounded by those who were nearest and dearest to her.

Mrs. Chapman was one of a family of twelve children, eight sisters and four brothers. All have crossed the river before her excepting two aged sisters, Mrs. L. M. Hazzard of Rockford, Ill., and Mrs. M. Chapman of Copley, Ohio. Her declining years were peaceful, happy ones, surrounded by love and comfort, and Grandma Chapman will ever linger in the memory of those who knew her.

During her last hours of consciousness she gave a name to her youngest grandchild, and in future years little Gladys Mathews will hear the story of that sad hour when she received her Christian name.

She leaves beside innumerable friends, three children, six grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, to mourn the loss of a loved and loving mother and grandmother. The children are Mrs. M. J. Layton of Elkader, Mr. C. L. Chapman and Mr. A. H. Chapman of Highland.

The funeral services were held at the home, March 17, 1903, conducted by Rev. J. V. Hummel. She was laid to rest in the beautiful Highland Cemetery where a large number of relatives and friends gathered to pay a last sad tribute to her, so dearly loved, whose pleasant smile they would never see and kindly words they would never hear this side the Pearly Gates.