Biography - JAMES CLINTON CHAPMAN
In the affairs of his part of the grefct state of Illinois James Clinton
Chapman is a leader, and happily in the case of a man of so much influence
as he possesses, he is progressive and public-spirited. Although for many
years identified with mercantile business, Mr. Chapman since 1905 has given
the greater part of his attention to agriculture, owning a fine farm of five
hundred and thirty acres and a half interest in the old Oliver farm north of
Vienna. He is scientific in his agricultural methods, and not only has lent
his assistance to certain experimental endeavors, but has also profited by
them very materially in the cultivation of his own land. He has been
particularly successful as a stock-breeder and has raised some of the finest
stock in this part of the state. He has taken an active part in the adoption
of the best educational methods procurable, for he is fully cognizant of the
important part education plays in the life of the nation.
Mr. Chapman was born February 10, 1856, in Johnson county, Illinois, the son
of Daniel C. and Mary Elizabeth (Groves) Chapman, the former a brother of
Hon. P. T. Chapman. The Chapman family is, in truth, one long established in
this country and some of the subject's ancestors were soldiers in the
Revolutionary war. James Clinton Chapman was educated in the district school
and worked upon the old homestead farm until the age of twenty-three years.
He then concluded to to try town life for a time and became a clerk in a
mercantile business in Vienna, in which capacity he remained for the space
of seven years. In 1885, when thoroughly familiar with the business in all
its departments, he, in association with his brothers, Tobias and Pleasant,
established a mercantile business, the firm being known as Chapman Brothers,
and, good fortunes being the result of their fine management and
unimpeachable business methods, they continued together for a period of
twenty years, or until 1905. In that year Mr. Chapman disposed of his
interests in the concern and removed to his present farm of five hundred and
thirty acres, in whose management he has ever since been successfully
engaged. As previously mentioned, he also owns a half interest with C. H.
Gillespie in the old Oliver farm of four hundred acres north of Vienna. He
is an extensive raiser of draft horses and Angus cattle, having eight head
of the latter on one of his farms and sixty-six head on the other. He has
twenty-one head of draft horses at the present time. He built a handsome and
commodious home, which further enhances the attractiveness and desirability
of his property.
For five years Mr. Chapman has been a director of the Pair Association and
in 1910 he served as president of the Vienna school board, having on several
occasions been a member of the same. He was serving in 1899 when the Vienna
school board authorized the erection of the new high school building. Prom
1896 to 1902 he was a member of the State Board of Agriculture of Illinois.
At the present time he is vice-president of the Illinois State Live Stock
Breeders' Association. He is one of the most popular and prominent of lodge
men and he is represented in various orders. His Masonic affiliation is with
the Blue Lodge, the Chapter and he is eligible to the white-plumed helmet of
the Knight Templar. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
including the Encampment, and he is also connected with the Knights of
Pythias and the Eastern Star. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and in politics is Republican; having given his allegiance to the
"Grand Old Party" since his earliest voting days.
On November 28, 1889, Mr. Chapman laid one of the most important stones in
the foundation of his success by his marriage to Eliza Ann Oliver, daughter
of James and Aveline (Smith) Oliver. Her grandfather Oliver served as county
judge for many years in Johnson county. Aveline Smith is the daughter of
Barney Smith, one of the pioneers of Southern Illinois. They share their
happy and hospitable home with six children, five of whom are sons. They are
as follows: Oliver, a graduate of the Vienna high school, class of 1911;
James, of the class of 1912; Robert; Joseph; Mary, and George.
Extracted 07 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Southern Illinois, by George Washington Smith, published in 1912, volume 3, pages 1469-1470.
