F. M. Chapman
F. M. Chapman, undertaker, London, was born in Union (now a portion of Paint) Township, this county, February 8, 1836. His father, James Chapman, is a native of Frederick County, Va., and his occupation in life has been that of a farmer. He came to this county in 1816, locating on some land in Union Township which he had purchased while at Winchester, Va. He was born July 16, 1801, and is now eighty-one years of age, enjoying good health. He married Mary A. Chapman. also a native of " Old Dominion." They are the parents of nine children, three living -- our subject, and a brother and sister, residing in Illinois. F. M. Chapman was the third child and first son of these parents, and resided on the farm in Paint Township until sixteen years of age. He then came to London. and learned the carpenter's trade with Calvin Newcomb, serving a three years' apprenticeship, and subsequently working for him two years longer. In the fall of 1862, he purchased his present business. Mr. Chapman is at present the pioneer in his line of business, and has met with very fair success. In 1873, he suffered the loss of his entire stock by fire, but immediately erected his present building, at a cost of $1,500. He is connected by membership with the following organizations: Funeral Directors' Association of Columbus; Masonic Lodge and Chapter, Knights of Pythias and American Legion of Honor, of London. He was married. October 15, 1864, to Mrs. Rebecca J. Newcomb, a native of London, and a sister of Clinton D. Rayburn, grocer. They have one child -- Bertie. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are members of the Presbyterian Church.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]