Mike - I was going to send this to you to help you clear up your Chapman
family in Missouri, but I figured there might be others who could use the
information, so I am replying to the Mail-list instead. This is my mothers
line and if you would like more of this line, let me know. Also, have you
tried contacting the Chapman Family Association? Their Genealogist, Mr.
Alford has a database with more Chapmans in it than you could ever imagine.-
Phil White
"Willis Maynard Chapman, a substantial farmer and stock raiser of
Mississippi County, Mo., was born in Ohio County, Ky., in 1822, and is a son
of Willis and Nancy (Render) Chapman, natives of South Carolina and
Virginia, respectively. The parents were married in Ohio County, Ky., having
removed there when young people. Mr. Chapman was a very active and
industrious man, and after his marriage engaged in farming. In March, 1849,
he removed with his family to Southeast Missouri, and located near the
Concord settlement in Mississippi County. His wife died there in 1853, aged
seventy-three years, and he died in 1859, at the age of eighty-four years.
They were very active members and two of the principal supporters of the
Baptist Church. Their children were born as follows: Robert, in 1807, died
in 1845; Sarah (widow of Wm. B. Smith), in 1808, now living in Indiana;
Judith, in 1810 (widow of E. Dalton); Joshua, deceased in his tenth year;
Ezekiel, in 1814, died in 1861; Eliza (Mrs. Randal D. Heck), in 1816, died
in Texas in 1840; Mary (widow of William L. Chapman, of Indiana), in 1819;
Willis M., in 1822; Elijah W., in 1824, died in Southeast Missouri in 1870.
"The father of the above was married the first time in his native State to
Elizabeth Dunlap, who died after their removal to Kentucky. To them were
born four children, all deceased: Lavinia, Ellis, Solomon and Nancy.
"Willis M. Chapman remained at the home of his parents, assisting on the
farm until he was about thirty-two years of age. On March 13, 18565 he
wedded Ann Mary Martin, a daughter of Andrew J. Martin, a native of
Kentucky, who removed to Mississippi County Mo. in 1855, and located on a
farm in Tywappity Township, where he and wife both died. Mrs. Chapman was
born in 1834, and died in 1866, having borne four children, as follows;
Andrew W., January 28, 1857; Noah W., September, 1858, died December 10,
1885; Francis G., October 2, 1861, died November 1, 1861; Sarah L., October
26, 1863, died on April 27, 1866. Mr. Chapman lives on his home farm, which
is well improved. His sister Judith resides with him and takes care of his
house. He is a member of the Baptist Church at Concord, and a member of the
Masonic Lodge at Charleston. His son, Dr. Andrew W., while attending school
at Charleston, formed the idea of studying medicine, and as soon as his
education would admit, in the fall of 1879, he commenced under the direction
of Dr. Bondurant, of that place. After about one year he entered a medical
college at Louisville, Ky., graduating from the institution on March 1,
1882. Returning to Charleston he formed a partnership with his preceptor,
which continued until 1885, when he went to St. Louis and took another
course of lectures. In 1886 he located at East Prairie, where he has
continued to practice his profession. He is a young man of good moral
habits, and is highly respected. He has a good office and applies himself
closely to his profession, and is considered one of the leading physicians
of the county."*
Children:
Andrew W. Chapman January 28, 1857 B 1936
Noah W. Chapman September 1858 B December 10, 1885
Francis G. Chapman October 2, 1861 B November 1, 1861
Sarah L. Chapman October 6, 1863 B April 27, 1866
* Reprinted from "History of Southeast Missouri, by Goodspeed Publishing
Company, page 962, 963.