Born in Otsego county. New York, on the 15th of June, 1821. The maiden name of his mother was Mary Hextell, of whose pedigree nothing is known. The Chapmans were from England, the father of Joseph coming over in the year 1810. Joseph moved with his parents to Fulton county, New York, when about seventeen years of age, and enjoyed only limited opportunities for mental improvement, such as a common school afforded. Mr. Chapman left Fulton county for Iowa in the autumn of 1850. He has a farm of one hundred and fifty acres adjoining the village of Colesburgh, and under excellent improvement, and other lands in the adjoining county of Clayton, and some also in Mitchell county. He has always been industrious, prudent and economical, and is among the many judicious and successful farmers whose lands lie along the south side of the Turkey timber, just south of the line of Clayton county. Mr. Chapman was justice of the peace for eighteen consecutive years at Colesburgh; was a member of the board of supervisors, and has represented his county, constituting the fifty-second district, in the last two sessions of the general assembly held in 1876 and 1878. In the latter session he was chairman of the committee on compensation of public officers and on the committees on county and town organization, private corporations, the penitentiary at Anamosa and the hospital, for the insane. Mr. Chapman was originally a Whig, and joined the republican party at its formation; is quite active and influential in local politics, and often attends the state conventions. He is a Master Mason and an Odd-Fellow, having represented the latter order in the grand lodge four or five times. On the 17th of February, 1852, Mr. Chapman married Miss Susan E. Potts, of Colesburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman attend the Congregational church, with which the latter is connected. They are among the pillars of pure-toned society.

Born in Otsego county. New York, on the 15th of June, 1821. The maiden name of his mother was Mary Hextell, of whose pedigree nothing is known. The Chapmans were from England, the father of Joseph coming over in the year 1810. Joseph moved with his parents to Fulton county, New York, when about seventeen years of age, and enjoyed only limited opportunities for mental improvement, such as a common school afforded. Mr. Chapman left Fulton county for Iowa in the autumn of 1850. He has a farm of one hundred and fifty acres adjoining the village of Colesburgh, and under excellent improvement, and other lands in the adjoining county of Clayton, and some also in Mitchell county. He has always been industrious, prudent and economical, and is among the many judicious and successful farmers whose lands lie along the south side of the Turkey timber, just south of the line of Clayton county. Mr. Chapman was justice of the peace for eighteen consecutive years at Colesburgh; was a member of the board of supervisors, and has represented his county, constituting the fifty-second district, in the last two sessions of the general assembly held in 1876 and 1878. In the latter session he was chairman of the committee on compensation of public officers and on the committees on county and town organization, private corporations, the penitentiary at Anamosa and the hospital, for the insane. Mr. Chapman was originally a Whig, and joined the republican party at its formation; is quite active and influential in local politics, and often attends the state conventions. He is a Master Mason and an Odd-Fellow, having represented the latter order in the grand lodge four or five times. On the 17th of February, 1852, Mr. Chapman married Miss Susan E. Potts, of Colesburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman attend the Congregational church, with which the latter is connected. They are among the pillars of pure-toned society.