The Press., 1897-06-03
ASHFORD.

Jairus Chapman, 92, whose de ath oc- cured May 18th, was born in Ashford, Dec. 9th, 1904 He was the youngest son of Roswell and Lois Chapman, the grand son of Thomas Chapman, soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was reared on a farm and his advantages to procure an education were very limited, but he fitted himself for teacher and taught one term, but as teaching was not congenial to his taste, he turned his attention to farming on 8 small scale, and the manufacturing of scythes, axes, etc., in the west part of this town. This business proved quite profitable, and his goods had high repu- tation. He was married to Emily Moore of Ashford on Jan. 1st, 1829 with whom he had lived sixty-nine years. She sur wives him and in few days will be 91 years of age. The children are all living, viz. {: Emily E. Preston, of East Douglas; Roswell z. Chapman of Springfield; and Mary J. Chapman, who has been with her parents and cared for them during their declining years. He belon ged to militia company in Ashford, and served as their captain for number of years. He spent most of his life in the two towns of Ashford and Eastford, with the exception of few years in East Douglas. After the division of Ashford and Eastford in 1847 he represented the latter in the Legislature in 1849 He removed his family to Eastford village in the Spring of 1850, and purchased a dwelling house and blacksmith shop with water privi- lege, where he continued to manufacture axes, and matches for number of years, and did custom blacksmithing, besides cultivating few acres of land. He had held most of the town offices, and was one of the directors of the Eastford Savings Bank. He contributed largely to the building of the Baptist church and par sonage in North Ashford He and his wife had been members there for nearly seventy years. He served in the capacity of Deacon until the infirmities of age prevented and compelled him to remain at home. He was, with the late Capt. Jonathan Skinner, one of the principal corporators of the Grove Cemetery Asso- ciation. He retained his mental faculties nearly to the time of his death. The i'm mediate cause of his death was paralysis of his left side. He was very strong in his convictions. When he was fully con- vinced that he was right he could not be moved. He was kind and effectionate husband and parent, and an obliging friend and neighbor.
 The funeral was soIemnized at his late residence on Tuesday, the 18th inst Rev. T. P. Briggs conducted the services. The choir, which was composed of E. w. Warren, Mrs. B. Warren, Dr. H. H. Con- verse, and Miss Mabel Converse, sang "There Is rest for the weary" The scrip ture was read by Rev. T. P. Briggs, after which Rev. Joseph Richardson offered fervent prayer. Rev. Asa Randlett, former pastor of the Baptist church for number of years, and an intimate friend and counselor of the deceased, preached a brief but excellent sermon from these words, Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord" Rev. J. P Trowbridge in his remarks paid him a fitting tribute of re- spect. Rev. T. P. Briggs made the closing remarks with eulogy of the de- ceased, referring to the esteem in which he was held. Rev. 0. M. Jones made an effective closing prayer. The choir sang, 'Shall we meet beyond the river" His remains were inferred in the Grove Ceme- tery. The bearers were his son z. R. Chapman, his two grandsons, Harry J. Chapman, c. Fred Whittemore. Deacon Henry Trowbridge and 0. o. Warren.
 Col. Charles L. Dean,. of Maiden, Mass, says: "He did his life work we'll, and was an honor to the community in which he lived to the 'fullness of his years.'
 P0tnGns Patriot E
 Putting tr11st in A man is one way of