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News was received here this morning of the death in Stafford Springs, Conn., about 7 Monday night, of Dr. Eugene Adelbert Chapman, former
county clerk, and a well known veteran of the Civil war. Dr. Chapman was one of the best known veterans of Jefferson county, and was prominent
at all reunions of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, of which be was a member. Death was due to apoplexy of the throat. He had been living In Stafford Springs for the last three years. His health had been gradually falling for some time and death was not entirely unexpected.
Burial Near Belleville.
The body will arrive at Adams wednesday morning and it will be taken to Woodside Cemetery about two miles west of Belleville, where burial will take place. The Belleville Lodge of Masons will have charge of the burial service, which will take place Wednesday afternoon.
Dr. Chapman was born In Belleville in 1839, a son of John and Miranda Congdon Chapman. Dr. Chapman's grandfather, Levi Chapman, was a native of Lyme, N. H., and settled in St Lawrence county In 1817. Dr. Chapman's father was born In 1814 and settled in Robert's Corners tn 1835. Dr. Chapman was the second of a family of five children. Studies Medicine. He received his early education in the old Union Academy, an institution which has had many graduates who have been successful. After finishing his course at the academy he entered the medical school of the University of Michigan, after which he was graduated from the medical school of the University of Buffalo.
Enlists In the Tenth.
The young doctor at once took up the practice of medicine, locating in Clayton, and soon built up a substantial practice. The civil war had just
begun, and the patriotic fever ran high. Dr. Chapman abandoned his fine prospects for a medical practice and responded to the call for volunteers.
Instead of seeking s commission as a surgeon he chose to belong to one of the fighting units, and entered the service as a private in Company G of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, Aug , 11. 1862. One month later he was commissioned first lieutenant and appointed adjutant In July, 1863. he was promoted to be captain. In November. 1864, he was ordered to appear before the medical examining board in Washington, where he passed the medical examination and was made an assistant surgeon Although this step reduced him in rank it enabled him to keep in touch with his medical profession He was ordered to report to General Benjamin F. Butler at Fortress Monroe, where he was mustered out as captain and was re-mustered as assistant surgeon. Shortly after reporting for duty at Fortress Monroe he was ordered to Deep Bottom and was assigned to duty with the 127th United States Infantry.
Shortly afterwards he was ordered to Point of Rocks Hospital, where he remained in service as an assistant surgeon until April. 1865 when he received orders to 127th Infantry which was sent to Petersburg, Va.. and with this command he went to Appomattox. He was a participant to many spirited skirmishes incidental to the Shenandoah Valley campaign. He was in the bloody battle of Cold Harbor and at the siege of Petersburg when the mine explosion took place. He was at Appomattox at the time of the surrender of Lee. Dr. Chapman was ordered to Texas and he was made quarantine officer at the port of Brazna Santiago, holding that office until the summer of 1865 when he wad mustered oat of the service.
A Country Doctor.
Returning to civil life, he came back to Jefferson county and took up the practice of medicine in Henderson for about eight years he lived the life, of the average country doctor, making long rides into the country and in all kinds of weather on his missions of mercy. His health had been enfeebled by many vicissitudes during the war and the constant exposure and hardships incidental to his medical practice soon undermined his health so that he was obliged to give up his medical practice in 1873. He served as postmaster in Henderson in 1872 and 1873.
Recovers His Health.
He was not constitutionally fitted to remain idle, however, and he went to Salemanics where he secured a position in [illegible] office. Diligently [illegible] his health and within about a year it had so improved that he felt he could resume the practice of his profession.
Locates in Belleville. He located in Belleville in 1873 and began building up a new business amid boyhood scenes and among friends of his school days. He took a prominent part in the civic affairs of his town and was elected president of the board of trustees of the Union Academy. He was elected coroner in 1870 and again in 1886. He served nine years as a member of the board of Supervisors and was elected chairman. He was the wise mentor and guide of the new members on the board and did much to make their path easier.
Elected County Clerk.
In 1900 he was elected county clerk and took up his residence in Watertown. At the expiration of his first term. In 1908 he was re-elected for another term of three years. He gave a most able administration and one that gained distinct popular approval. He was succeeded by Eli B. Johnson of Chaumont.
Dr. Chapman was married In 1865 to Philinda M.. daughter of Philo and Caroline Davis Hungerford. Three children were born to them: Clara M .
who died In 1897; Florence L. and Walter E. Mrs Chapman died In 1874 and in 1877 Dr. Chapman married Agnes G. McClure. Five children were born to them: Ross McC. of Washing¦ton. D. C., John H. who died in 1901: Margery C. wife of Richard Valentine of Stafford Springs. Conn : Sanford T, who died about four years ago, and Donald C, a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army.
Dr Chapman was a great lover of fine Literature and throughout his life he had been an omnivorous reader. He possessed' exceptional literary
ability and now and then contributed interesting stories to the press. About 25 years ago he wrote a story called "Jennie" which was first printed in The Times and was later re-printed in a great many papers in the Country. This was about the intelligence of a horse he which he once owned when he was in the country medical practice. The story finally became a tract of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"Dr. Chapman was a fine gentleman," said D. S. Miller this morning. "He was certainly one of nature's noblemen."
Senator Cobb's Tribute.
Former Lieutenant Governor George H. Cobb, who had been a close friend of Dr. Chapman for many years, spoke with regret when he heard of
the death. "Many residents of the county." said Mr. Cobb, "will learn with sorrow of the death of Dr. Chapman. He was a practicing physician
at Belleville for many years and he was known and respected very highly by the people to whom he administered in that section. "He was the soul of honor, kind and gentle. Dr. Chapman was a conscientious physician and a very much respected citizen. He served as county clerk in this county and made an excellent record in that capacity. He lived a life of helpfulness and self-sacrifice, doing for others in whatever capacity he labored. Too much can not he said in his praise"
O. B. Cadwell, associated with Dr. Chapman in army life and later as a member of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery Veteran Association, said today: "When I first became acquainted with Dr. Chapman he was an adjutant In the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery. Soon after he was appointed captain of C company. I remained at headquarters but our friendship continued. He was a man of unblemished character and very much a gentleman in every way. He was a man who stood very high and was thoroughly capable."
"He was one of the organizers of the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery Veteran Association and was always most interested in the organization. He served as president of the association from 1885 to Oct 20. 1910 when be gave up the office voluntarily. He was elected secretary and remained in that office until be departed from the city in 1912."
Article as it appeared in the Watertown Daily Times
Thursday January 30. 1917
from www.fultonhistory.com
Note: Some entries on this site may not directly relate to Belleville but are connected in some way to an individual
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