George Henry Chapman

George Henry Chapman was born November 22, 1832, in Holland, Massachusetts, and his family moved to Indiana when he was six years old. His father and uncle published newspapers including the strongly democratic Indiana State Sentinel. Chapman attended Marion County Seminary. In the fall of 1847, he was appointed midshipman in the United States Navy. For the next three years, he served on the frigates Cumberland and Constitution. He resigned from the Navy following the death of his uncle. After leaving the Navy, Chapman went into the mercantile business. This was short-lived, as Chapman soon began to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1857. Mr. Chapman edited and published Indiana Republican, his own newspaper, from 1854 to 1855. He served as a clerk in the House of Representatives in 1860, but resigned in the fall of 1861 when he was commissioned major of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry. In October 1862, Chapman was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Other promotions would follow – colonel in 1863, brigadier general in 1864, and brevet major general in 1865. Chapman participated in numerous battles and skirmishes including Second Manassas, Antietum, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Chapman’s troops had the distinction of being the first to face Confederates as they advanced towards Gettysburg from Cashtown. In the Shenandoah Valley, Chapman first commanded a brigade then a division. It was also there that he faced off against Confederate General Jubal Early. Chapman remained in command until May 1865 when the division was dissolved following the end of the Civil War. He then spent two months serving on court-martial boards. George Henry Chapman’s military career, which had been praised by his superiors, ended with his resignation on January 7, 1866. He then served five years as a judge of the Marion County, Indiana Criminal Court. He was elected in 1880 to the Indiana State Senate. Preceding his election, Chapman served as receiver for two financially challenged railroads. Chapman died near Indianapolis June 16, 1882, and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.

---