Biographical Sketch of

Eli B. Chapman

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 822 - 823 - 824


Eli B. Chapman, who is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Wisconsin and is the father of the editor of the 
Plainfield Sun, was born in the town of Ashford, Windham Co., Conn., on the 26th of August, 1821.  He attended 
district school until fourteen years of age, in his native town, and from that time until he came to Wisconsin 
in 1844, was a student at Ashford Academy, Conn., High School at Holleston, Mass., Smithville Institute in Rhode 
Island and Plainfield Academy in Connecticut, with the exception of two years spent in teaching district school.  
His early life was spent in his native State, but in the fall of 1844, when a young man of twenty-three years he 
emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin.  A few years later, on the 1st of January, 1848, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Deborah S. Hewes, who was born in the town of Hampden, Penobscott Co. Me., Dec. 4, 1829, and came to 
Wisconsin in April, 1846.  Their wedding was celebrated in Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., the Rev. Mr. Montgomery performing 
the ceremony.  They were the parents of six children:  Frederick E., born in 1848, at Beaver Dam, Wis., and married 
to Hattie Hubbs, at Oasis, Wis., in May, 1875; Lewis W., born Feb. 2, 1851, at Appleton, Wis., and married to Maggie 
E. Lewis, at Montello, May 20, 1875; Alice M., born Dec. 18, 1853, at Montello, and married to Herbert E. Moors, at 
Lone Pine, Sept. 18, 1877; Ida M., born Feb. 12, 1856, at Montello, and died July 12, 1858; Frances E., born Sept. 
29, 1859, at Montello; Edgar H., born June 20, 1862, at Montello; Cora Maude, born July 30, 1869, at Montello.
 
Mr. Chapman first located in Milwaukee after his arrival in the West and soon obtained a situation as clerk in
a store owned by a Mr. Sweet, but after a few months he engaged with Waldron & Stimpson, merchants of Watertown, 
Wis., to go to Beaver Dam and there open a branch store.  That city was then but a mere hamlet, containing but 
one frame house, a frame gristmill and about a dozen log cabins.  After about a year spent in Beaver Dam, he 
returned to the East, but the following spring again came to Wisconsin and engaged in the mercantile business 
for himself as a partner of C. S. Snow.  The partnership not proving profitable or agreeable, the connection 
was dissolved by mutual consent and our subject turned his attention to farming, purchasing land on English 
Prairie some few miles west of Beaver Dam.  For two or three years the fever and ague raged terribly in that 
locality.  The wheat crop was also a failure and in consequence times were very hard.  Wheat that was raised 
brought only about fifty cents per bushel, and had to be hauled all the way to Milwaukee in wagons over almost 
impossible roads.  Often a week or ten days was consumed in making the trip and in order to save any money at 
all from his sales, the farmer would have to take with him food for the journey and sleep under his wagon at 
night.  It was not until several years later that railroads were built, thus affording easy and rapid transportation.  
This is but a sample of the many hardships and trials that were endured by the pioneers, yet Mr. Chapman in speaking 
of that period of his life, says that he never passed a more enjoyable time than the few years spent in and near 
Beaver Dam.  Then the people were not divided into classes of rich and poor or aristocrats and plebeians, but all 
were on the same social footing.  Hospitality such as is now unknown characterized those pioneer settlers and the 
social intercourse would cause wonder among many people of to-day.  The winter time was a season of festivities.  
Sleigh rides, parties, dances, junkets and social gatherings called the people together.  A notice would be given 
out that a dance would be held at a certain place.  No tickets were printed or special invitations issued but every 
one was invited.  A four horse team would be hitched to a wagon bed placed upon runners and the young people would 
crowd in and laughing and singing "we won't go home till morning," they would dash along over the frozen ground 
until the place of entertainment was reached, when they would spend hours in the liveliest manner and it was often 
almost morning before the pleasure seekers would return home.  The bar-room of old Brown's log tavern was the scene 
of many a pleasant evening.  Gathered around a huge fire-place, the time was spent in playing games, telling stories, 
relating hunting adventures and cracking jokes; no drunkenness or fighting, but all social, kind and neighborly.  
Those days will never be forgotten by the participants.  Another means of amusement were the house raisings and 
husking bees.
 
The written law in such communities was not extensive, but the people were banded together in support of what was 
right and the men of the settlement formed a court when any act was committed contrary to justice.  An incident 
which occurred in those early days will serve to illustrate the manner in which an offender met punishment.  At 
one time a stranger appeared in the settlement stating that he wished to make a home in the community.  He met 
with the most courteous treatment from all, was shown by the settlers the most favorable locations and in every 
possible way he was made to feel that he would be welcome.  He boarded with a neighbor of Mr. Chapman, who through 
sickness and ill luck was unable to pay for his farm when the time of pre-emption had expired.  The stranger becoming 
acquainted with the fact went at once to the land office and deeded the farm.  When his action became known to the 
settlers, they were so incensed that a meeting was called and they repaired to the stranger's shanty and endeavored 
by peaceable means to have him give up the land, but their entreaties were of no avail.  In an ungentlemanly manner 
he told them that he has purchased the land and intended to keep it.  At that, the self-appointed committee of 
justice seized him and although he made a desperate attempt with an ax to defend himself, they took him out of the 
house, tied a rope around his ankles and started with him to the Beaver Dam pond, crossing on the way a 40-acre 
field newly plowed and frozen.  On arriving at the pond a hole was cut in the ice and the stranger was dropped in 
the water where he was held until nearly dead.  Then hauling him out he was once more requested to give up the land 
and told that if he did not do so he would never come out of the pond alive again.  Looking around the circle of 
fierce and determined faces and seeing no hope of leniency he promised to freely and voluntarily deed back the land, 
which he soon afterward did and, collecting his few household goods he and his family left for parts unknown.  Such 
is a hasty glance at one of the features of pioneer life.
 
Mr. Chapman found that farming did not prove a profitable investment with him, and as the crops proved a failure and 
the ague still claimed him as a victim,, he left Dodge County in the spring of 1850, and went to Appleton, Wis.  Since 
that year, however, the ague has never prevailed to any extent in Dodge County, and the wheat crop has never been an 
entire failure.  Any amount of government land, either prairie or timber could be bought for $1.25 per acre, while 
the marshes were not considered worth purchasing but were free plunder for any one, although they produced excellent 
hay.  After Mr. Chapman had been a resident of Appleton for two years, the property of the Lawrence University became 
so tangled up in law through the machinations of the Rev. Reader Smith, that people would not buy property there, land 
and lots depreciated in value and many of the residents moved away, Mr. Chapman among the number, but affairs were 
soon settled in Appleton since which time that city as continued to grow and prosper.  Our subject, in 1852, settled 
in Montello, Marquette County, where he purchased land and again engaged in farming.  Six years later the county was 
divided, a portion of it being separated and called Green Lake County.  Mr. Chapman was appointed by Gov. Randall, as 
Register of Deeds of Marquette County, and was afterward re-elected for a term of three years.  In 1865, he was appointed 
Superintendent of schools and while in Montello in 1867, was appointed one of three to assist the Board of Emigration 
in the performance of their duties.  He was Postmaster of Montello, under Buchanan, and was also Deputy Treasurer and 
Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court, while living in that city.  His residence in the county covered a period of twenty 
years, and in 1872, he removed to Oasis, Waushara County, where he embarked in the mercantile business, later pursuing 
the same in Lone Pine, and afterward in Adams County, whither he removed in 1879.  He served as Postmaster in Lone Pine, 
and also in Adams County, but in 1883, returned to the East and is now living in the town of Hume, Allegany Co., N. Y., 
where he is pursuing the quiet and congenial life of a farmer.
 





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