Clarence B. Chapman, an honored member of the LaSalle county bar, and ex-county attorney of this county, was born in Princeton, Illinois, January 1, 1857, and is consequently in the prime of life and mental vigor. His birthplace was in Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, and his boyhood was passed quietly enough upon his father's farm there. His parents were O. E. and Sarah L. (Beeman) Chapman, natives of Medina county, Ohio. The Chapmans were of English extraction, and the paternal grandfather of our subject, Sceva Chapman, was born in Vermont, while the maternal grandfather, Milton Beeman, was a native of Connecticut.
In common with the other boys of his neighborhood, Clarence B. Chapman obtained his elementary education in the district schools of Bureau county. He was an apt student and, being ambitious in the acquisition of knowledge, made rapid progress. In 1878 he was graduated in the high school of Princeton, and two years later he received a diploma from the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, being graduated in the law department. The same year, 1880, he came to Ottawa and entered into partnership with M. N. Armstrong, under the firm name of Armstrong & Chapman. At the close of three years this business connection was dissolved, and our subject practiced alone until 1887, when he became associated with Duncan McDougall, with whom he continues, the style of the firm being McDougall & Chapman. During nine months, commencing in July, 1886, Mr. Chapman was located in Beatrice, Nebraska. McDougall & Chapman command a large share of local legal work, and many of their clients live in more or less distant parts of the county. Mr. Chapman is an earnest advocate, thoroughly understands the law, and presents his cases to judge and jury in an impressive, clear and logical manner, which carries conviction to the minds of his hearers. He is a Republican in politics, and, having been elected to the responsible position of county attorney, he served in that capacity, acceptably to all concerned, from September, 1894, to the fall of 1896. For four years he was the secretary of the Republican county central committee, doing effective work for the party.
On the 12th of October, 1886, Mr. Chapman married Miss Katie H. Ebersol, a daughter of Daniel S. Ebersol, of Ottawa. Socially he belongs to the Masonic order, in which he ranks high, as he is a member of Humboldt Lodge, No. 555, F. & A. M.; Shabbona Chapter, No. 37, R. A. M.; and Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, K. T. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is identified with Ottawa Lodge, No. 41.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 75-76.
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