CHAPMAN, Major J. F. Chapman - b. April 6, 1826 - d. July 25, 1903

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(from THE MOLINE REVIEW  July 30, 1903)

Death of J. F. Chapman

Major J. F. Chapman died at the home of his daughter in Ponca City, Okla., Saturday afternoon, July 25, 1903, and was buried with Masonic honors in the Moline cemetery, the following Monday.  Some weeks ago the Major, apparantly in his usual health, left his home in Moline for a visit to his friends in Oklahoma.  He went first to Guthrie to his granddaughter, Mrs. McGuire, and afterward to his daughter's in Ponca City.  His health broke, and a short time before his death the physicians pronounced his disease cancer.  It will be remembered that the Major went to Wichita about a year ago and was treated for a cancer that was on his under lop.  He thought he was cured, and the sore on the lip did disappear, but it seems the cancer struck inward and attacked the vital organs.  It is gratifying to know that his last days were painless.

The remains reached Moline Saturday night.  Monday the business houses of the city were closed during the funeral hour.  Delegations of Masons came from Grenola, Elk Falls and Howard.  The deceased was escorted to the church and afterwards to the grave by the Masonic order, the G. A. R., and the W. R. C.  Elder Hill made a beautiful address, after which the impressive ceremonies of the Masons were given.

Major Chapman was one of the earliest settlers of old Howard county and played an important part in the history of Howard and Elk counties.  He was highly respected by all classes.  We hope to publish a sketch of his life next week.

from THE MOLINE REVIEW  August 6, 1903

James F. Chapman

The subject of this sketch was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, Apr. 6, 1826.  The farm upon which he was born is now a part of the city of Stanton.  He grew to manhood on the farm.  At the age of 20 he enlisted in Company E., 4th regiment of Illinois infantry, Col E. D. Baker, commanding.  Col. Baker afterward went to Oregon, became a senator from that state and was killed at Ball's Bluff in the opening year of the great Civil war.  Col. Baker was one of the leading politicians of Illinois, a friend of Lincoln, and his influence on young private Chapman could not but be helpful and inspiring.  The regiment to which Mr. Chapman belonged was sent to Mexico and became a part of Gen. Taylor's Army of Occupation.  While at Matamoras, Mr. Chapman was stricken with fever and sent to the hospital.  His disease compelled his discharge from the army in November of the same year, and he returned to his Illinois home.  There went with him to the war from his neighborhood twelve young men, only three of whom returned.  He was married to Joanna Sparks, February 4, 1847.  To this union were born eleven children, nine boys and two girls of which six boys and one girl survive.  Two years after his marriage the California gold fever struck his settlement, and early in 1850, Major Chapman and twenty-two others started across the plains.  The party left Independence, Mo., in April.  West Best, S. R. Sparks, Stephen A. Sawyer and himself going in one wagon.  At his death there were living of this number, D. R. Sparks and West Best.  After spending two years in California he returned to his home in Illinois, going by the way of the Isthmus of Panama.  After his return he engaged in farming, handling grain and stock, and carying on a milling and general merchandise business.  In 1862 he enlisted in the 122nd Illinois infantry and was elected major of the regiment.  He was captured by Forrest in December, 1862, but was exchanged in June, 1863 and joined his regiment at Corinth.  He was in the Chattanooga campaign under Gen. Sherman and was afterward ordered back into Missouri to operate against "Pap" Price.  During a good deal of this time, Major Chapman commanded the regiment, his Colonel being on detached duty.  He was mustered out of service in the fall of 1865.  In 1867 he moved to Bates county, Missouri, but the grasshoppers destroyed his crop and in 1868 he returned to Illinois.  In 1870 he settled in Neosho county, Kansas, but on account of trouble with the L. L & G. railroad in regard to land titles, he removed to old Howard county in 1871, and settled on a piece of land about two miles south of Moline.  He was one of the leaders in the county seat wars and took part in the famous Boston raid which captured and removed the county records from Elk Falls.

After the county was divided in 1875, Major Chapman was elected county surveyor and held the office, with the exception of one or two terms, until two years ago when failing health compelled him to decline a re-election.  The Major was a member of the G. A. R. and took great interest in the order.  He was well versed in the military history of his country, and took great delight in assisting his old comrades and their widows.

For fifty years he was a member of the Masonic order, and in accordance with his wish his lodge gave him a Masonic funeral.

Major Chapman was a leader in every community in which he lived.  He was a staunch republican, but his fairness and courtesy secured him the respect and friendship of his political opponents.  He was an early Kansas pioneer, and a fine specimen of the brave, forceful men that give character to the great American nation.