Henry Chapman

CHAPMAN, MICKLESON, BENNETT

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 12/2/2001 at 11:20:08

He Lived Here
Years Ago

{handwritten on article was "Bee - Nov. 11, 1903"]

The following life sketch [illegible] clip from the Ashland, Oregon Tribune, and feel that it will be interesting to our readers. Henry Chapman the subject is well known to our older settlers as he once made his home here. Deceased was a brother of A. F. and Wm. Chapman of this city.

[snip] also his nieces, Mrs. N. S. Bennett and the Misses Mary, Mabel, Rose, Minnie, Elsie and Edith Chapman. Then there wre Mrs. Major Barron, Mrs. Lizzie Anderson, and Mrs. Mary A. Walker, who born floral tributes. They are the only survivors of the company which crossed the plains in 1853? and of which Henry Champman was a member..

[snip]

Henry Chapman was born on Hudson street, New York City, May 28th, 1832,.

When six months old his parents moved to Washington, Mason county, Kentucky and from there in 1843 to Iowa which was then regarded as the far west. When about 19 year of age, he and his brother Daniel, crossed the plains by ox-team with the Myers and Walker train.

They reached this valley, looked upon by them as a beautiful haven of rest., September 3rd, 1853?, stopping at the Isaac Hill place. Resting three days the brothers packed their blankets and crossed the Siskiyous to the mining company of Yreks. The following spring they returned and helped to build the first wagon road over the Siskiyou mountains.

That year they took up donation claims at the upper end of the valley and Henry lived there until the fall of 1859? when he set out for his old home in Iowa by way of Panama arriving there in the spring of '60?.

He remained with his parents until the spring of 1870? when he again crossed the plains, accompanied by his sister, Victoria, now Mrs. Mickleson, mainly with the object to recuperate his health. They tarried in Colorado about a year and then resumed the journey by mule team to Ashland, arriving in September 1870. They went back to the old donation claim and resided there until a year ago, the brother always having the tender care of his devoted sister in his feeble health.

Her testimony and that of his friends is that his life was one long round of unselfishness under conditions which, naturally would tend to fix one's thoughts on self. His sympathies were close to nature. He loved birds, flowers, little children and all innocent creatures.

During his final sickness, which he seemed to know was his last, his kindness and thoughtfulness were expressed often to his sister. His pet name for he was last audible word. Considerate of others, patient, charitable, a good neighbor and of a ming to be helpful where there was need, his old time friends and the younger ones who knew him well, will keenly regret the demise of Henry Chapman.

[dates are unclear, transcription taken from video, likely could be determined more clearly if actually viewing article in scrapbook]

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

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I am not related to this individual but post this item for those who may find this information of interest.