The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-06-24
Death of A. B Chapman.

The death of Arson B. Chapman,
which occurred on Tuesday evening at
his home on West Main street. this city,
removes one of the oldest pioneers and
one of the best known men in the
county. Mr.. Chapman had been in
feeble health for many months, but was
not confined to the house until after the
death of his brother, l. NJ Chapman, in
February last, after which he failed very
fast. Softening of the brain was the
immediate cause of his death.
Mr.. Chapman had been for years
prominent in the affairs of the county,
filing many positions of honor and
trust, both political and social, He was
one of the original members of the Con-
gregational church, organized March
9TH, 1870 Mr. Chapman is survived by
his wife and one daughter, Mrs. j. S.
Hoyt.
The funeral services occur at the
house this afternoon, Rev j. G. Cromer,
officiating the burial services being in
charge of the Masonic lodge.
The following sketch of Mr.. Chip
mans life is taken from the history of
Shiawassee county:
Arson B. Chapman, one of the first ac-
tual settlers of Owosso, Shiawassee coun-
ty, was born in Addison county, VT, at
che foot of TIE Green Mountains, Dec. 27,
1912. His father, William Chapman,
native of Vermont, was son of Jesse
Chapman, soldier in the revolutionary
war, who was with Gen. Montgomery at
the fall of Quebec. The ancestors of the
family were of English stock.
The mother OF Mr.. Chapman bore the
maiden name of Adah Miner, and was
daughter of Richard Miner; they were
both natives of Connecticut, and descend
ants of the old puritan stock. They were
The parents of large family OF children,
of whom Arson B. was the last represent
sative.
Mr.. Chapman spent his boyhood and
youth with his father at Malone, N. Y.
He attended school mostly at Malone and
worked also with his father in making
spinning wheels. In 1882 he came to
Michigan to spend the summer, and in
the fall returned home. In the spring of
1888 he returned with team to Michi-
gan and towed boat through the We'll
land Canal.
In 1887, Mr.. Chapman removed to Shi-
awassee county, locating in the woods.
Here he started shop and set up
q lathe turning few Y ars after as
sisted by his father. In 1888 he entered
into the hotel business, which was the
first in Owosso, located on the corner of
Washington and Exchange SITS. 1t was
subsequently burned and was on the site
OF the Salisbury block. He kept no liq-
uors and carried on the business for three
years. In 1847 he removed to his present
location, which compriseda farm of some
12O acres, part of which was covered
with heavy timber of the best maple and
oak trees. After thoroughly clearing his
farm, he plated portion of it which
was adjacent to the city and south of the
county road, and sold out ten acres in
lots which are at the present time well
covered with homes.
Mr.. Chapman was twice married. His
first wife, to whom he was welded in
1885, was Miss Mary Shattuck, of near
Ypsilanti. She died in 1889. His second
marriage took place in 1S41, when he was
married to Miss Mary A. Pratt, of Ypsi-
lanti, She was native of Augusta,
Oneida county, N. Y, and is the fourth
child of Samuel and Lucy Hitchcock
Pratt. Five children were granted to the
worthy couple-Adah, George, Richard
E., and Linnie, all deceased; and Emma,
the wife of John s. Hoyt.
Politically Mr.. Chapman was a stanch
democrat and he cast his first presiden-
tial vote for Andrew Jackson. In 1S4S
he was county judge and has filed num-
Der Offices mayor of the city, supervisor
of the township, town clerk, township
treasurer and superintendent of the poor,
the latter responsible Office he had held
for over forty years. He had also been
justice of the peace for fourteen years, a
notary public for forty years, and major
in the militia.
Both Mr.. Chapman and his noble wife
have been earnest and efficient members
OF the Congregational church. Mr.. Chip
man was member of Owosso Lodge No.
81, F. & A. NJ, also of the Owosso Chap.
ter No. 80, r. A. NJ, in which he held
the Office of High Priest, and was for
many years prominent member OF the
l. 90. F., and in this organization passed
all of the chairs.
Free Pills.