The Chapmans are a family that have long been identified with LaSalle
county, Illinois, and occupying a representative place among them is the
subject of this sketch, Hosmer C. Chapman, who is engaged in farming in
Miller township, Marseilles being his post-office address.
Hiram W. Chapman, the father of Hosmer C., was one of the pioneer settlers
of the county. He was born in East Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York,
January 16, 1824, son of Amasa Chapman and his wife, whose maiden name was
Emily D. Cooley. She was born in Canandaigua, New York, July 4, 1799, and he
in Hancock, Massachusetts, September 29, 1793. He died April 27, 1836, and
she passed away April 30, 1842.
Hiram W. Chapman grew to manhood in New York and was there married, January
23, 1849, the lady of his choice being Miss Ann E. Davis, daughter of
Cornelius Davis. Mrs. Chapman was born and reared in Victor, Ontario county,
New York, and was a woman of great strength of character.
In 1854 she accompanied her husband to Illinois and the following year they
purchased a farm in LaSalle county, its location being in Miller township,
and here they reared their family and passed the rest of their lives. She
died at the homestead in February, 1882, at the age of fifty-three years,
and he survived her until March 1, 1898, when he died at the age of
seventy-four. Politically he was a Republican, interested in public affairs,
and for a number of years served as a member of the school board and also
filled other local offices. Mrs. Chapman was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. They reared to maturity five children, four sons and one
daughter, namely: George H., Hosmer C., Delia Lucina, Frank O. and Otis L.
The daughter died in 1880, at the age of twenty-two years.
Hosmer C. Chapman was born March 16, 1853, and was eighteen months old when
his parents moved to Miller township, and consequently has never known any
other home than this. He was reared on his father's farm, receiving his
education in the schools of the district, and since he reached adult years
he has carried on farming operations on his own account. He has lived on his
present farm nine years. This farm, known to many as the "Jesse Mick Farm,"
is well improved with modern residence and other good farm buildings, and
its cultivated fields and general appearance at once indicate that a
prosperous, energetic man is at the head of its operations.
Mr. Chapman was married February 14, 1878, to Miss Clara M. Snyder, of
Manlius township, LaSalle county, daughter of John and Sarah (Petefish)
Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs.
Chapman were born two children, — Mabel June, born May 24, 1882, and Arthur
Jay, born November 29, 1887.
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder came to LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1854, and here
spent the rest of their lives and died, his death occurring when he was
sixty-four years of age: hers at seventy-four. Both were members of the
Christian church. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are
now living, namely: Samuel, a veteran of the civil war, is now a resident of
Springfield, Missouri; Mrs. Francis Battles, of Perry, Iowa: Maggie, wife of
G. A. Willmarth, of Miller township, LaSalle county; Clara M., wife of our
subject; and John N., of Farnam, Dawson county, Nebraska.
The deceased members of the family were: William, who was a soldier in the
civil war, and who died in Dallas county, Iowa; Tabitha, who was the wife of
C. N. Rolph, of Miller township; Sarah E., who was the wife of W. A. Harris,
of Perry, Iowa; and Emma E., who was the wife of F. O. Chapman of Miller
township.
Mr. Chapman gives his support to the Republican party, and is now serving as
a member of the school board. He is fraternally identified with the Modern
Woodmen of America, having membership in Chapter No. 258, of Marseilles.
Extracted 17 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 486-487.
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