The following article was found in the Oct. 12, 1872, Lowell Star on
page 5, column 2:
Reuben Chapman, of West Creek, presented us last Wednesday with some mammoth sweet potatoes, the largest we ever saw, one weighing about two and a half pounds. Everything grows to giant proportions down on West Creek. Mr. Chapman has our thanks.
The following unidentified newspaper article was in a collection owned by Lowell Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Killed by a Tree
Reuben Chapman, an old and highly respected citizen of West Creek, Tuesday, Feb. 25th inst. We have been able to gather from Mr. Charles Baily the following particulars: Mr. Chapman went into the woods some time in the forenoon of Tuesday to chop wood. Not returning in the evening, his folks became alarmed about him and instituted a search for him. They found him about 8 or 9 o'clock in the evening. He was dead when found. Indications were that he had been trimming a treetop that had been edged on some smaller trees and in cutting. . .[The rest of the article was missing.]
The following article, copied from the Spalding Scrapbook, was found in the Lowell Public Library local history clipping files (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 5, page 16):
Reuben Chapman was suddenly killed by a falling tree near his home in West Creek, Ind., Feb. __, 1890. He was born in Middlesex county, Conn., July 24, 1810 and was one of a family of four born to Oren and Penelope Chapman, who were also natives of Connecticut, until death. Reuben remained at home until he was twenty-one. The following fall he went to Cuyahoga county, Ohio. The next year to Cook county, Ill., thence to Kankakee county, same state. In 1835 he came to Lake County Ind. He was married in June, 1837, to Mrs. Matilda Baily*, who was born in Virginia, Sept. 75*, 1812. To this union was born two children, one son and one daughter, the latter dying in infancy. The son, Lemuel, still survives. He resides in Coyville, Kansas.
Mr. Chapman was a man who, by his excellent character and benevolence, won the highest esteem of his neighbors and friends, and will be deeply missed as an old resident of West Creek, Ind.
Beloved husband, father and brother,
Thou no more will join our number;
Death has dissolved one of our dearest ties.
Your welcome footstep, cheerful voice
We will long, long remember,
But hope to meet with you beyond the skies.
Memorial services, conducted by Rev.Thompson, were held at West Creek M.E. church, Sunday, March 23, 1890.
* NOTES
-- Reuben Chapman's date of death was listed as Feb. 75, 1890, in this article, an obvioius typographical error.
-- His wife's former name was spelled as "Baily," but she was actually Matilda Bryant Bailey.
Last updated on May 31, 2006.
Go to Reuben Chapman, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.