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R. J. CHAPPELL was born in Maury County, Tenn., January 27, 1842, and is a son of Henry and Martha (SMITH) CHAPPELL, who were also born in Tennessee. The Chappell and Smith families came from Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and there received a good common-school education. He was engaged in clerking in a mercantile establishment, but upon the breaking out of the war he, in May, 1861, enlisted in the Confederate service, and was a faithful soldier until the close of the Rebellion. He received several severe wounds. In 1868 he located in Springfield, Mo., and followed commercial traveling for two years. He located in Peirce City on November 12, 1870, and for four years was engaged in the mercantile business with J. PERKINS. He then worked with J. H. WOOLRIDGE for two years, and the following two years was with J. W. PATRICK. In 1882 he was elected chief of the Peirce City police force, and has acceptably filled that position ever since. He was married to Annie E., a daughter of Samson LOONEY, Esq. (deceased), and by her is the father of four sons and three daughters. He is a member of the K. of P.
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