CHAPMAN, CHARLES A., son of William A. and Elizabeth (MORRILL) CHAPMAN,
was born in East St. Johnsbury, August 11th, 1873. He comes of strong New
England stock. His maternal grandfather was Hon. Calvin MORRILL, an early
and prominent merchant and public man of East St. Johnsbury. His paternal
grandfather, David CHAPMAN, came from Danville to East St. Johnsbury, where
he was a blacksmith several years, and in the later fifties bought the
MORRILL store and engaged in trade, first as senior partner of the firm
of CHAPMAN & BILL, and later with his son, William A., as CHAPMAN &
Son.
William A. CHAPMAN enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Vermont regiment,
Colonel Redfield PROCTOR; was elected lieutenant, later promoted captain,
and honorably discharged with his regiment. After his return from the tented
field, Captain CHAPMAN continued in trade many years at East St. Johnsbury
and died there in 1887.
Charles A. CHAPMAN was educated in the public schools and at St.
Johnsbury academy. In 1893 he commenced the printing business on a small
scale at the old store in his native village and a year later located in
the armory building at St. Johnsbury, where he continued this business
four years. He then leased the old opera house and was its manager until
the fire of 1897, after which for several years he assisted Landlords DOYLE
and BLACK in bill posting and advertising. During the past year he has
been manager of the Howe opera house, and after a successful season has
recently secured an indefinite renewal of his lease.
He does a general theatrical business, engaging lecturers, theaters,
etc., and the character and value of the amusements here largely depends
upon his discretion. He makes touring engagements for such well-known organizations
as Sousa's band, the Kilties, and Denman Thompson's company.
Mr. CHAPMAN married in 1896 Miss Elsie M. SHAW of Fall River, Massachusetts.
Mr. CHAPMAN is a member of Apollo lodge, No. 2, Knights of Pythias, and
was formerly captain of E. B. Frost camp, No.18, S. of V. He resides at
No. 11 Belvidere street. Mr. CHAPMAN from early boyhood has evinced an
unusual interest and taste for dramatic and theatrical representations
and has presented entertainments of a high order, well adapted to the taste
of the St. Johnsbury public.
Source: Successful Vermonters,
William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical Publishing Company,
1904, page 42-43.
Prepared
by Tom Dunn January 2003
|
