ROBERT H. CHAPMAN.

The subject of this sketch is a prosperous farmer of Isabella township and as a citizen is worthy of mention among those who by upright lives and wholesome influence give stability to the body politic and respectability to the communities honored by their presence. Like many of the substantial yeomanry of Michigan, he comes from the dominion of Canada, where his ancestors settled a number of years ago and where representatives of his family still live. Robert Chapman, the subject's father, a native of Yorkshire, England, was. born in 1804 and died in Canada in August,1877. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Wolf, also came from England, where her birth occurred in the year 1816. She departed this life at her home in York county, Ontario, in 1892.

Robert. H. Chapman was born in Otobicoke, York county, Ontario, June 21, 1846 , and spent his childhood, and. youth in that-town, receiving his education in the schools of the same. Leaving home at the age of nineteen, he went to Palmyra, New York, where he learned the cabinetmaker's-trade, and after working at the trade three and a half years in that city returned to Canada to assist with the labor on the farm. One year later he. went to Day county, Iowa, where he followed his vocation for a period of three years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Canada and spent the ensuing five years in the province of Ontario. He then went to South Dakota, where he remained four and a half years, and in 1885 came to Isabella county, Michi- gan, locating at Rosebush, where for three years he applied himself to mechanical work, removing at the end of that time to a forty acre farm in Isabella township, which he cultivated as a renter during the three years ensuing. Purchasing eighty acres in section 16, at the expiration of the period indicated moving to the same, he applied himself energetically to its improvement and from that time to the present his career as a farmer has been very satisfactory. Mr. Chapman has brought his farm to a high state of cultivation, raises abundant crops of all the grains, vegetables and fruits grown in this latitude and by continuous industry and good management has placed

himself in easy circumstances. His improvements are among the best in the locality, and the prosperous appearance of everything on the farm marks him not only as a man of energy but as possessing exceeding good taste. By re- modeling and adding to his residence, he now has a commodious and comfortable home, equipped with many modern conveniences his other buildings being in keeping therewith.  In 1903 he erected a fine barn, thirty-four by fifty feet in dimensions, with stone basement, and from time to time has further added to the value and productiveness of his land by a successful system of tile drainage, besides enclosing the farm and subdividing it into fields with the latest type of wire fencing.

Mr. Chapman was happily married in 1875 to Sarah Steele, whose birth occurred in Peel county, Ontario, March 14, 1858. Her parents, George and Mary (Armstrong) Steele, were natives of the dominion, the former born April 7, 1827, and is still living; the latter was born September 5, 1832, and departed this life on the 12th day of September, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are the parents of children as follows: Amelia M., wife of Pearl Doane, of Mt. Pleasant, was born in

Canada, September 27, 1875. Herbert G., born May 28, 1877, is single and lives in South Dakota. Ernest J., who also is unmarried and who is still with his parents, was born on the 24th day of March1879; Nina H., born in South Dakota, August 12, 1882, married Herbert Maybee and lives in Oil Center, California,  Ida M., now Mrs. Earl  Johnson, born May 18, 1884,  in South Dakota is now living in Isabella township where her husband is engaged in farming; Florence Ann,  born      on the family homestead in this county September 25, 1886, is 'unmarried 'and lives in the city of Kalamazoo; Eva Orabel,  born May 23, 1890, is member  of the home circle, as is also Willard      the  youngest of the family who was born on the 20^th day of December 1899.

Mr. Chapman votes with the' Prohibition party,' is earnest in the support of his principles and, and uncompromising enemy of the liquor traffic. He has long been -active- in religious work, - being a devout member of the  Methodist Episcopal church and for-six years served as steward of the local society with which identified, also holding the position of trustee for a period of seven years.  Mrs. Chapman, who is also an earnest and consistent Christian, has been superintendent of the Sunday school for two years and during the past ten years has served as president of the Ladies’ Aid Society.  She is a woman of fine mind and marked individuality, very capable in public religious work and one of the valuable members of the church to which she and her husband belong.