# Representative women of New England/Anna D. H. Chapman

​ANNA DOW HINDS CHAPMAN, vice-president since November, 1890, of the Portland McAll Auxiliary, has a national reputation as a worker for the McAll Mission. A resilient of Portland, her native city, she is active in church and philanthropic work, and is also a recognized social leatler.
Her parents, Benjamin Franklin and Adrianna Veazie (Chase) Hinds, were both born in Maine in the thirties of the nineteenth century, her father being the son of Elisha and Ann P. (Dow) Hinds. Benjamin F. Hinds was for over thirty years assistant cashier at the Port- land Custom House. He died in 1897. Mrs. Hinds, Mrs. Chapman's mother, was a woman of great religious faith. This she inherited from her mother, Mrs. Sarah Frances Chase, who was known for her love of the church and her great benevolence.
Anna Dow Hinds was educated in the public schools of Portland and at Bratlford Academy, Bradford, Mass., where she was graduated in 1872. She sub.seciuently taught in one of the grammar schools of Portland. In the fall of 1875 she resigned her position as teacher, and married the Hon. Charles J. Chapman, one of the leading citizens of Portland. Mr. Chapman was graduated from Bowdoin College with high honors in 1868. For many years he was a member of the Portland School Board, a part of the time as superintendent of schools. He was prominent in Republican politics, and was Mayor of Portland in 1886, 1887, and 1888. The latter year he was elected by a largely increased majority, and his administration received the support of both parties. He was a successful merchant and banker. For several years he was president of the Chapman Bank, and he held this position at the time of his death, which occurred suddenly in the fall of 1898. Clear-headed, upright, and progressive, as a business man for more than a quarter of a century, engaged in large mercantile and ​financial transactions, and as a public official, he commanded the confidence and respect of the entire community. His loss was widely and deeply felt.
Mrs. Chapman was a helpmeet and companion to her husband, rendering by her social qualities valuable assistance during his political career. She has had a memorial window placed in Williston Church (Congregational). It was unveiled the Easter following his death.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, and all of them are living, namely: Marion Carter; Robert Franklin, who was graduated at Bowdoin College in 19(J0; Charles Jarvis, Jr. (Yale, 1905); Philip Freeland (Bowdoin, 1906); and Harrison Carter.
While deeply interested in her church and missionary work, Mrs. Chapman always finds time to plan for her children's pleasure. Her house in Portland and her summer home, "The Towers," at Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay, are usually filled with young people.
For the past twelve years Mrs. Chapman has been a leading spirit in Maine in the work of the McAll Mission, to which she is earnestly devoted. This mission was founded by the Rev. Robert W. McAll (Congregationalist), a native of Macclesfield, England, for the purpose of giving religious instruction, "highly evangelical and undenominational," to the common people of France. The work was begun in Paris by Mr. McAll and his wife in July, 1872, and continued by him until his death in 1893. Dispensaries, industrial schools, and reading-rooms are sustained by the mission, which does not establish churches. The American McAll Association, for the collection of funds, was founded in 1883. The Portland McAll Auxiliary, for the same object, was organized in February, 1887, in State Street Chapel, under the direction of Professor J. C. Bracq, general secretary of the American McAll Association. Mrs. Ellen Carpenter was elected president, and served until her removal from that city. For many months Mrs. William H. Fenn, vice-president of the American A.ssociation, presided over the meetings. In November, 1890, Mrs. Carpenter resigned, and ^Mrs. Chapman, who had been one of the vice-presidents since its organization, was elected to fill the vacancy. The work progressed under her direction, and the next year a new station was opened through the efforts of the mission. For the support of this, in addition to money given for the general work, one hundred dollars is annually expended. Mrs. Chapman introduced parlor meetings, which have been regularly held. These gatherings are of social interest and helpful in advancing the cause. In May last the treasurer announced a gift of one thousand dollars from an unknown friend. The association has about one hundred members, and has contributed over four thousand dollars to the work of missions in France. Mrs. H. W. Noyes has held for twelve years the office of secretary of the Portland Mission. At the annual meetings of the American Association Mrs. Chapman has represented in an able maimer the local society.
Mrs. Chapman is a director of the S. P. C. A. Society and a member of the Literary and Benevolent Associates. She is planning an extensive trip abroad, and during her travels will visit different branches of the McAll Mission.