The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-05-03
Obituary.,

Obituary,
Tee following sketch of the life of
Mr.. Joel Chapman, who died at His
residence in Mantua OIL the Goth of
March, 1877. in the 77th wear of his
age, was handed to us for pub lication
last week, but in the hurry of making
up our paper was Inadvertently omit
ted:
Mr.. Joel Chapman has passed away
at the extreme age of seventy.seven
years. All OF his active life was iden-
titled with the material and moral
progress of Mantua. When, but
twelve years of age his father and
mother thought 10 better their HOPES
by removal from their native place,
TOlland, Conn.,, to Ohio. With FAM
lily of six little children, the Youngest
babe, the journey was undertaken in
the ususual method of those days, by
teams. Having made two days
journey, the mother sickened and died
within a few hours. Having laid
away the remains of the wife and
mother, the saddened and grief strick-
en- family took up the weary journey
SO inauspiciously begun. The subject
of this sketch in all his long life could
only think of his mother in connection
with the lone grave, which he never
saw afier the sad farewell, when from
his young breaking heart, as he stood
by its side, he said goodbye, mother.
After the usual experience of those
days, the family found themselves in
Edinburgh, in this county, the Mecca
of their hopes. Soon after their set
tlement here Joel found home with
an uncle, one OF the Lsdds in Mantua.
At the proper period he was appren-
ticed to Mr.. Jeduthan Lsdd, for the
purpose of learning the trade of house
building, which business he followed
for nearly quarter OF century.
In 1924 he and Miss Julia Harmon,
daughter of Judge Harmon, were
married, his bride being the third or
fourth white child born in Mantua.
Mrs. Chapman died in 1857 after a
long and lingering illness. Within a
few years Mr. G., married Mrs Bent
ley, of Aurora, who survives him. Ae
has been ali invalid for several years,
being able to look after
his busiuess, and then again the
was burden" from the
effects of nervous prostratiOn. lie
leaves but one child, Mrs. Jabob Fos-
ter, who, with his wife and foster
were permitted TO minister to
him in his last hours. Mr.. Chapman
was eminently practical man, accept
ing and demonstrating Solomon's doc
trine with regard TO the 'hand OF the
From his earliest years.
patient, plodding industry was the
ginius to which he appealed and on
which he relied for success. Msgnifi-I
cent ventures, promising specula,ions,.
aud lucky turns of the wheel had no.
charms for him. AS the fruit of a lifet
of honest industry, home and plenty.
were always at his hand. His remains
were borne to the "silent city" from
one of the most pleasant homes in our
the fruit of his good
judgment and toll, where he resided
for half century. Two generations
have passed since he mingled his life
with that of this people, leaving the
half dozen or less, whom he found
here at his first coming. lie was iden-
tilted in spirit and purse with all the
various enterprises of church building
and church repairs which have marked
the history of our community, though
not church member himself. Thus
has passed away All honest mans good
citizen, kind neighbor, and one of
The landmarks. which, like links bind |
The past with its memories TO the pres
ent. We would not let our pen, In
,pired as it is by the friendship of a
quarter Of century, betray us into
empty fisttery, because, like all NOR
ais, perfection was hot his. But at
he same time, In these days of sham,
t is refreshing duty to review
of which none question its
olid Integrity, depth of honesty. and
conservation which 10 the growth of
alm judgment, mstured in the light
If long experience. A large con-
gathered to pay their re-
poets TO his memory, at his burial,
Rev. d. j. White presiding in the re-
igious exercises.