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George L. Chapman

George L. Chapman, deceased, an early settler of Fayette County, Iowa, was a native of Virginia. He was born In Frederick County, December 29, 1826, spent his early life in that State and in 1847 was united in marriage with Miss Lydia E. Jones, who was a native of Virginia. The eight years succeeding their marriage, they spent in Virginia and in 1855 started westward, emigrating to Iowa. Mr. Chapman chose as the scene of his labors Delaware County, but after four years he came to Fayette County, 1859, making a settlement in Brush Creek, whence the following spring he removed to a farm in Putnam Township, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1867, when he went to Smithfield Township, also of Fayette County, where he continued farming until his death, which occurred February 6, 1890.

Mr. Chapman was quite successful in his business undertakings and at the time of his death was owner of three hundred and twenty acres of fine land being known as one of the prosperous farmers of Smithfield Township. In politics, he was a lifelong Democrat and in the community in which he lived ranked among the highly respected citizens. His wife, who was a consistent member of the Christian Church, died March 5, 1889, after a useful and well-spent life. This family consisted of two sons and a daughter. The latter, Mary E., is the eldest and resides with her brother on the home farm in Smithfield; Robert A., wedded Mary McDonald and owns and operates the old homestead; Charles E., the youngest son, is the subject of the sketch given above.