Chapman, Albert S.

CHAPMAN, STANBERRY, ANDERSON, VAN GILDER, WRIGHT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/27/2009 at 13:32:00

Chapman, Albert S.

In the present review is recorded briefly the life history of one who was a few years since a familiar figure in the city of Colfax, where he was a prominent and respected business man, and too a full share of activity in the affairs of the community. As a businessman he was strictly honest, and entirely capable, and his sagacity was admired by his associates and acquaintances. His success was marked and notable, and was the result of his own careful building.

Albert S. Chapman was born near Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, the son of John O. Chapman. John O. Chapman was born near Cape May, New Jersey. Judge Stanberry, of the Ohio Supreme Court, was the grandfather of Albert Stanberry Chapman. His mother died near Maryville, Ohio, and Albert S. came to Mound Prairie precinct, Jasper County, Iowa, in 1865, with his father, who bought a farm here and lived on it the rest of his days. Albert S. lived on the farm, and was very successful in agriculture until 1881, when he removed to Colfax and engaged in business, quickly winning for himself a reputation as a man of enterprise and spirit. He continued in business until his death, on November 27, 1894, at the age of fifty-three. He served as a member of the school board in Colfax, and was always interested in the improvement and development of the community. Mr. Chapman was married in Mound Prairie precinct to Kate Van Gilder, the daughter of Squire Abram and Sarah (Anderson) Van Gilder. Abram Van Gilder was born on July 9, 1813, in Hamilton County, Ohio, moved to Indiana, later to Knox County, Illinois, to a farm seven miles east of Galesburg, and came to Mound Prairie precinct in 1864, where he and his wife, who was born in Adams County, Ohio, on June 16, 1821, spent the rest of their lives. Abram Van Gilder was influential in his community, and filled the offices of justice of the peace, town clerk, and secretary of the school board.

Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are the parents of the following children: Frank, of Bisbee, Arizona, a builder; Ed, of Colfax; George of Colfax, a real estate agent; Harry, of Colfax; Mary Belle, who married Otis Wright, a banker of Colfax, and who died in 1897, at the age of twenty-seven, leaving one child.

The Chapman family is one of the most respected in Colfax, and all its members are filling positions of worth and usefulness. The sons of Albert S. Chapman have ever present with them the memory of their father's excellent life as an inspiration and example. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 442.