G. P. CHAPMAN. It is frequently remarked that finest residence in Lapeer County is the large brick dwelling owned and occupied by this gentleman, and charmingly located on section 14, Lapeer Township. This beautiful home is not only attractive in its exterior, but is elegantly furnished within and contains all modern improvements, being heated with hot water and lighted with gas. The large barns and farm buildings are models of convenience, while fine stock may be seen in the pastures; A man of large business interests, Mr. Chapman has attained to his present high standing through his unaided exertions and justly is numbered among the most influential and representative farmers of the county.

Simcoe Chapman, father of our subject, was a native of Bucks County, Pa., and followed the calling of a farmer. Phoebe (Park) Chapman, mother of our subject, was a native of Canada, born near Niagara Falls. The father was a man of great mechanical genius, and his son retains in his possession some fine specimens of his work. His death was caused by cholera, in 1854, while the mother survived until 1863. Five of their fourteen children are now living. Our subject was born June 13, 1884, in the township of Pelham, Canada, and began for himself at the age of seventeen years, having prior to that time received a good common-school education. His first employment was secured on a farm, and he afterward worked in a sawmill for three years.

For two years Mr. Chapman sojourned in York, Canada, and for seven years in Walsingham. In 1861 became to Michigan and worked on his present farm, then the property of his wife’s father. In 1862 he went to Saginaw and Bay Counties, where he engaged in lumbering until 1867. Thence he returned to his former home in Lapeer County, although he still retains large lumber interests. He was married in July, 1865, to Julia E. Higley, whose parents were natives of Shoreham, Vt., and came to Michigan as early as 1832, settling in this county. Mr. Higley located where Higley 's old mill now stands and built a flour, grist and saw mill, the latter being one of the first in the county. Mrs. Chapman was born September 15, 1846, and was the recipient of a good common-school education.

After his marriage our subject removed to what is now Arenac County, where he cleared one hundred acres of land in connection with lumbering. He made his permanent location on his present estate in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living, as follows: Paul P., L. H., Jane May, F. S., Jay, George D., Susie and Edith J. The home farm comprises three hundred acres, and besides that Mr, Chapman owns about five hundred acres of farming land in Arenac County, and has about five thousand acres of yellow pine land in Tuscaloosa and Hale Counties, Ala., where he also has a planing mill and private railroad. On his homestead he makes a specialty of Jersey cows, Berkshire swine and Hambletonian horses. In his politics he is a Republican and has served as Supervisor and Treasurer of Lapeer Township, Highway Commissioner and Pathmaster. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, Blue Lodge Chapter and Council, and Knights Templar.

Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties (1892) pp. 981-2

George P. CHAPMAN was born in Canada in 1834, and came to Lapeer, September, 1861, remaining a year, when he engaged in lumbering near Saginaw. In 1869 he purchased a farm on section 14, where he now resides. Since coming to the State has been engaged in lumbering and farming, and now owns a fine farm upon which there are excellent buildings. He was married in 1866 to Miss Julia E. Higley, and has seven children.

History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers (1884) by H. R. Page p. 56