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JAMES N. CHAPMAN, one of the earliest pioneers of Louisa County, Iowa, now residing on section 16, Morning Sun Township, was born in Hartford County, Conn., Aug. 29, 1827, and is a son of Ambrose and Permelia (Williams) Chapman, the father being a native of Connecticut, and the mother of Ohio. James is descended from the good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal grandfather being one of the men who so gallantly fought to free this country from British tyranny. The family was originally from a family of Chapmans, which settled in America in Colonial days, and our subject was one of a family of six children: Amaret, who became the wife of William Farmer, and both are now deceased; they left a family of three children, the eldest of whom, James, has made his home with our subject for the past twelve years. Elizabeth, who wedded Benjamin Kellogg, and died about four months after her marriage, in 1845; our subject was third in order of birth; Daniel is engaged in farming in Concord Township; George is a resident farmer of Johnson County, Kan.; and John, who is also a farmer, lives in Morning Sun Township.
In 1835 the family removed from Connecticut to Richland County, Ohio, settling in the town then called Trucksville, now Ganges, Ohio. In that town Ambrose Chapman followed blacksmithing until 1839, when he moved with his family to Lee County, Iowa, settling at Montrose, but the following year returned East, settling in Mercer County, Ill., remaining there until the fall of the year 1847. In that year the family removed to Lake County, Ind., where the father remained until his death, which occurred in 1875 or 1876. He was a man who took an active part in political affairs, and was highly respected in the community where he resided. His wife died in Mercer County, Ill., in the fall of 1845.
The early education of our subject was received in the primitive school-house of pioneer days, one built of logs and furnished with slab seats. He remained at home with his parents upon the farm until reaching his maturity. In 1848, deciding to seek his fortune in the new State of Iowa, he settled in Washington County, but soon afterward came to Louisa County, and for one year worked upon the farm of Zadok Jarvis for $9 per month. At the time of his arrival in Louisa County his cash capital consisted of fifty cents, and his wardrobe of a pocket handkerchief. Starting thus poorly in life, he little by little increased his possessions. At the end of two years he was able to purchase an outfit for breaking prairie with five or six yoke of oxen, and for six seasons he continued to break land for the people in that community. Mr. Chapman was the first man in that section to pay $100 for a yoke of oxen, that being considered an exorbitant price in those days. At that time he was making his home with Mr. Jarvis, who on hearing of the purchase thought James had been cheated and felt very sorry for him, but on seeing the team he offered the price paid for them.
On the 11th of February, 1857, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage with the daughter of his former employer and friend, Mary J. Jarvis, who was said to be the first female child born in Louisa County, the date of her birth being Oct. 30, 1837. This was when the county formed a part of the Territory of Wisconsin, her father having located in this section in 1837. He was one of the honorable upright men, who aided largely in the development of the county, and his many noble acts and deeds will long be remembered by his friends and their posterity.
Previous to his marriage Mr. Chapman had entered eighty acres of land in Louisa and the same amount in Hardin County, but later sold them, and in 1856 purchased 220 acres on sections 16 and 17, where he now resides. Immediately after their marriage he and his young wife took possession of a little frame building, 16x18 feet, which was situ- . . .
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. . . ated on their farm, and immediately began the work of improvement. Fruit and shade trees were set out, the fields were planted, and a fine hedge fence was set out, which nearly surrounded the farm. Long since the little cabin gave way to the comfortable two-story residence, which was built in 1870. The main part of the building is 16x30 feet, and the L is 14x16 feet. Ample shelter has been provided for the stock in a roomy barn, 40x50 feet, with 18-feet posts, and a basement under almost the entire building.
When Mr. Chapman first came to Virginia Grove, in Morning Sun Township, with no capital in his pocket and seeing only strangers around him, and realized the fact that there was no one within miles whom he could call a friend, the prospect did not indeed look rose colored, but filled with a determination to be the owner of a good farm, he at once set to work, and the success which he achieved may well encourage others to labor cheerfully and manfully. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens with various township offices, which he has creditably filled. He has always identified himself with the Democratic party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Chapman is ever ready to give of his means to the up-building of all social, educational and moral interests. Whatever enterprise is started for the public good, he is its ready supporter, and to the building of railroads through the country he has contributed largely. We are pleased to record this sketch of Louisa County’s prominent pioneer and worthy citizen, who receives the highest respect of young and old, rich and poor.
