The Press., 1897-06-03
EAsTFORD.

Jairus Chapman, 92, whose de ath oc- cured May 18th, was born in Ashford, Dec. 9th, 1894. He was the youngest son of Roswell and Lois Chapman, the grand son of Thomas Chapman, q 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 a small scale, and the manufacturing of scythes, axes, etc., fin the west part of thls town. This business proved quite profitable, and his goods had high repu- tatiOn. He was married to Emily Moore of Ashford on Jan. 1st, 1898, with whom he had lived sixty-nine years. Sh6 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 a 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 a few years in East Douglas. After the division of Ashford and Eastford in 1s47 he represented the latter in the Legislature In 1s49. He removed his family to Eastford villnge in the Spring Of 1850, and purchased dwelling house and blacksmith shop with water privi- lsgo, where he continued to manufacture axes, and hAtches for q number of years, and did custom blacksmithing, besides eultivating 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 infirmlties of age prevented and compelled him to remain at home. He was, with the late Capt. Jonathan Skinner, one of the principal oorporators of the Grove Cemetery Asso- ciation. He retained his mental faculties nearly to the time of his death. The im- 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 effectlonate husband and parent, and an obllging friend and nelghbor.
 The funeral was solemnlzed at his late residence on Tuesday the 18th inst. Rev. T. F. Briggs conducted the services. The choir, which was composed of k. w.. verse, and Miss Mabel Converse, sang "Th0re Is rest for the weary" The scrip ture was read by Rev. T. P. Briggs, after which Rev. Joseph Richardson offered a fsrvent prayer. Rev. Asa Randlett, a former pastor of the Baptist church for a 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 EoAn@NAs PsAau nun o hssAnB aiputoVA TO spect. Rev. T. P. Briggs made the closing remarks with eulogy of the de. ceased, referring to the esteem fin which he was held. Rev. O. M. Jones made au effective closing prayer. The choir sang "shall we meet beyond the river," Hls remains were inferred in the Grove Gene tery. The bearers were hls son z. R Chapman, his two grandsons, Harry J Chapman, c. Fred Whittemore. Deacor Henry Trowbridge and O. 0. Warren.
 Col. Charles l.. Dean,. of Maiden, Mass. says "He did his life work well, and war an honor to the community in which he lived to the 'fullness of his years." --- PutR0n Patriot. Ft
 
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