GURDEN T. CHAPEL, commissioner of schools for Kent county, Mich., is a native here, was born April 11, 1860, and until twelve years of age lived on his father's farm. Marquis de Lafeyette Chapel, father of subject, was a native of Canada, as was also his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lillie McPherson, and of their four children Gurden T. is the youngest. Both parents, however, are now deceased. M. de L. Chapel came to Kent county, Mich., in 1841, and took up government land in the township of Ada, and the patent therefor, subsequently issued to him, bore the signature of President John Tyler.

As a pioneer Mr. Chapel endured all the hardships incident to a life in the wilderness, the condition in which Ada township then existed, but being a practical farmer, he succeeded in making a comfortable home for himself and young family. He became thoroughly imbued with a love for his adopted country, and in her time of need patriotically volunteered in protecting her from disruption by enlisting, in 1863, in company B, Third Michigan infantry, and at the organization of his regiment was elected its orderly-sergeant, and for bravery on the field of battle and for meritorious conduct generally was successively promoted to second and first lieutenant. He served until the close of the war, was present at the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox Court House, and after receiving an honorable discharge returned to his farm, on which he resided until 1872, when he removed to the village of Rockford, where he bought an iron foundry, which he successfully operated until his death, and his wife also passed away in Rockford.

Gurden T. Chapel received his education in the schools of Rockford village, was very studious as well as apt, and at the early age of seventeen years was qualified as a school teacher. His first experience in this vocation was in 1877, and for four years he taught in the country in the neighborhood of Rockford, and then as principal of the high school at Sand Lake for six years. He served two terms of two years each as township school inspector, and in April 1885, was appointed by Judge Perkins to the board of school examiners, and re-appointed by the board of supervisors three terms in succession, and two years ago was elected county commissioner of schools. In April 1899, he was re-elected by an enormous majority over all competitors, that in the city of Grand Rapids alone being 641, and the whole county majority being over 3,000, and this victory was achieved solely by the confidence of the voters in his personal fitness for the position.

Prof. Chapel was united in marriage July 4, 1882, with Miss Emma Burch, native of Kent county, and a daughter of DeWitt Clinton and Eliza (Elliott) Burch, and to this union one child, Hazel D., has been born. Prof. Chapel is a republican, and fraternally is a member of Cedar Springs lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arch; he is also a past grand of Rockford lodge No. 247, I. O. O. F., has twice attended the grand lodge of this order, and in the I. O. G. T. a member of Sand Lake lodge, No. 332, the secretary of Kent District lodge, No. 23, and is likewise a member of grange No. 337, P. of H., and past captain of Chapel camp, S. O. V., Rockford, which is named after his father. As an educator, Prof. Chapel is unexcelled. He holds a state certificate of the first grade, and although a modest man is a firm disciplinarian. The family attend Grace Episcopal church, and reside at No. 415 East Bridge street.