Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 405
Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1888

JACOB H. CHAPMAN, a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Tippecanoe County, was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, June 17, 1825, a sone of NATHAN and MARGARET (HANSEL) CHAPMAN, who were also natives of Virginia. The father left Virginia with his family and his brother WILLIAM about 1834, for Indiana, and for a time lived at Terre Haute. He was a miller by trade, as were his brothers. NATHAN CHAPMAN followed milling in various places in Indiana, and also taught a private school for a time. At the time of his death, in 1870, he was living in Washington Township, this county, at the home of his son, JACOB. A brother, JACOB CHAPMAN, came to this county several years before NATHAN and WILLIAM settled here, and became prominently identified with its interests. He owned at one time a part of the town site of Colburn, laid out that town about the time the railroad reached the place. NATHAN CHAPMAN and his wife had eight children, of whom three are living--JULIA, JACOB H., our subject, and MARGARET.

JACOB H. CHAPMAN, whose name heads this sketch, was a lad of about nine years when brought by his parents to Indiana, and since then the greater part of his life has been spent in Tippecanoe County. He learned the miller's trade of his father. He was married July 29, 1847, to MARIA RICHARDSON, and they are the parents of six children--ANTHONY G., ALBERT, THEODORE M., JOHN F., MRS. LUCY CARLEY and MRS. EFFIE BATES.

MR. CHAPMAN has resided on his present farm since his marriage, and during his long residence here he has gained the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He laid out Chapman's first addition and second additions to what is now known as Colburn. Chapmanville is the name by which the plat was recorded, though the station and post office are called Colburn. Like his father, MR. CHAPMAN affiliates with the Democratic party in his political views.