Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-08
GONE TO HIS HOME
Samuel S. Chapman Dies Sud.
denly Wednesday Night
HEWAs ALAwYERAaD SCHOLAR
OF Eminenf Ability, But Disease and Ad-
yeEz.ty Hid His Shining Talents
Brief Sketch OF His Lie

samuel :. Chipman, who for years
mas been one of the best known citizens
CT Grand Rapids. died Wednesday mid
night AZ toe u. b. A. home. since the
death of ais wife IN 1871, Mr.. CnIp-
mans health has been very feeble. AMI
he mas for months al time been con-
fined to hIs bed. Danng the past WIN
ter he suffered from severe attack OF
the grip. which left his system much
shattered, and he has had no well days
since. Wednesday morning he came
% his Office. Later he became insensl-
pie and was taken TO the L. B. A.
home, where be expired. He WAS 90
wears OF age and was The son or DR.. o.
II. Chapman, who survives him, ami q
nephew of Congressman j. Logan
Chapman. He formerly lived IN the
upper peninsular, aud made extensive
studies in the botany, geology and
was for years the intimate
OF the Catholic priesthood of northern
Michigan, and through his friendship
with them and with the old settlers OF
the northwest he made many import
All iC'S1ANAto As~o ~ -
gendary and pioneer history OF the
eouatry. Much of THIS matter ne EN-
bodied IN u long series or descriptive
letters to the Detroit Tribune, which
attracted wide attention
Wa an Ardent Repu biican.
He never held public office, but was
an enthusiastic student OF economic
subjects. His political IDOL was Alex
ander Hamilton, and he would sli
through a whole night discussing the
political doctrines OF Hamilton and
Jefferson. lie WAS a deep thinker, a
forceful debater and was gifted with a
polished and persuasive elcquence that
made HIM a dangerous opponent. In
his political affiliations he was an ardent
republican He was u man OF broad
and liberal culture and at one time
stood well IN the Michigan bar. He
graduated from the Grand Rapids hlgn
school and completed his legal studio:
In the Office of Judge Holmes. He was
brother of III. II. Chapman. deceased,
who Was at one time county clerk.
Had it not been for the poor health
shich had afflicted Mr.. Chapman
almost from boyhood it Is more than
probable that he would have
achieved distinction in both Law
and literature. To his friend of over
aquarter Of century's standing, At
:. White, he LETT eight volumes OF
closely written matter, covering an al
most incredible range of subjects, each
Of which IS treated IN q scholarly and
accurate manner. There are treatises
Pm questions of law, political economy,
axation, bellies letters. mental and
moral philosophy, and IN addition.
many sketches or travel and number
Of short stories. The whole is written
IN easy, fluent English. that SHOWS a
decided literary insight. lie was q
,ookworm TO the last; a book was very
,recious to him. He had friends who
TODD by him all through his life, which
vas marked by many heavy ADVERSE
les.
His wish Gratified.
He lately expressed desire TO have
his suffering relieved by death. which
lie expected would come upon him sud
denly. 1t is said that he provided in
mis- will, of which At. $. White 10 execu
tor. that bis physicians should be given
Iull permission TO examine his body, "A:
his disease was of peculiar and mys
ferrous nature. In letter to hi.
friend, Justice Hydorn, written nearly
year ago, the deceased requested
that Messrs. III. A. Hydorn, w. f.
Grove, Al. s. White, c. w. Eaton
George Spaeth, julius Klelnwachtel
and DR.. William Clarke act as pail
bearers
AS yet no definite arrangements have
been made for the funeral of the de.
ceased. Ii is thought that an autopsy
may be performed today, owing to the
peculiar nature of Mr.. ChIpman's dis.
ease.