CHAPMAN, CHARLES C. -- Genealogical records give the year 1650 as the date of the founding of the Chapman family in America by the arrival in the new world of three brothers from England, who became the progenitors of a numerous race that, taking root in Massachusetts, spread its branches throughout the growing colonies of the Central West. No representative of this family was more worthy than Sidney Smith Chapman, who was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1827. He followed the westward tide of emigration at an early age, settling in Illinois when he was a youth of eighteen and embarking in the building business. While he never achieved wealth he was singularly fortunate in gaining that which is far more enduring--the sincere regard of friends and the affectionate admiration of business associates. Into the building of houses he put the same integrity and the same patient industry that he put into the building of his fine personal character and his deep Christian faith.

After a long period of labor as a builder in Macomb, Ill., Sidney S. Chapman removed to Vermont, same state, in 1868 and later followed his trade in Chicago, where he and his first wife were charter members of the West Side Christian Church. During the World's Fair his health failed and in October of 1893 he passed from earth. His life, as it was ordered, contained not only happiness, but also sorrow and disappointment.  
     Whatever came to him he bore with simple dignity and quiet courage, seldom giving utterance to any words save those of hope. As a workman he was not content with the mere completion of a task, but strove to finish each contract with greater skill than he had displayed in previous efforts. He was a firm supporter of prohibition, and politically a Republican. To his descendants he left the heritage of a life that was a model of uprightness and simple devotion to duty.

     In 1848 S. S. Chapman married Rebecca Jane Clarke, eldest daughter of David and Eliza (Russell) Clarke, both natives of Kentucky, where the daughter also was born. The family of Mr. Chapman by this marriage numbered ten children, seven of whom attained years of maturity and five are now living, viz.:  Charles C., whose name introduces this narrative; Christopher C., an orange grower near Yorba Linda; Samuel James, who is engaged in the real estate business in Los Angeles; Dolla, Mrs. W. C. Harris, whose husband is a well known builder and successful architect of Los Angeles; and Louella, Mrs. J. Charles Thamer, of Placentia, Cal.  The eldest son, Col. Frank M., died in Covina, this state in 1909.  Emma E., Mrs. L. W. B. Johnson, died in Illinois in 1888, leaving a son and daughter. The wife and mother passed away at the family home in Chicago January 2, 1874, and later her youngest sister became the wife of S. S. Chapman, their union resulting in the birth of three children, Ira, Earl and Nina. After the death of her husband the widow remained in Chicago for several years, but subsequently removed to Los Angeles, where she died.

     During the residence of the family in Macomb, Ill., Charles C. Chapman was born July 2, 1853, and in that city his education was secured, but he owes more to self-culture than to text-books, more to determination and will-power than to youthful opportunities. His first employment was that of messenger boy and he recalls carrying the message that announced the assassination of President Lincoln. Later he clerked in a store and in 1869 joined his father at Vermont, Ill., where he learned the trade of bricklayer. On the 19th of December, 1871, he went to Chicago and immediately secured employment, first working as a bricklayer and in 1873 superintending the erection of several buildings, after which he engaged in the mercantile business. During 1876-77 he engaged in canvassing in the interests of a local historical work in his native county and during 1878 he embarked in a similar enterprise for himself at first conducted under his own name and after his brother, Frank M., became a partner, the firm name was changed to Chapman Brothers and later to the Chapman Publishing Company.

     As the business of the firm increased the plant was enlarged until it had embraced extensive quarters and a large equipment. In addition to the management of a printing and publishing business the firm erected numerous buildings, including business structures, apartments, hotels and more than twenty substantial residences.  During the World's Fair they conducted the Vendome Hotel for the accommodation of many of the leading capitalists and business men of the country. The financial panic of that year caused very heavy losses to the firm.

     At Austin, Tex., October 23, 1884, Mr. Chapman married Miss Lizzie Pearson, who was born near Galesburg, Ill., September 13, 1861, being a daughter of Dr. C. S. and Nancy (Wallace) Pearson. Two children blessed the union, namely: Ethel Marguerite, born June 10, 1886, now the wife of Dr. William Harold Wickett of Fullerton, and Charles Stanley, January 7, 1889. During January of 1894 Mr. Chapman went to Texas, hoping that the southern climate might benefit his wife, who was ill with pulmonary trouble. Later in the same year he came to California with the same hope, but here, as elsewhere, he was doomed to disappointment. While the family were occupying their beautiful home on the corner of Adams and Figueroa streets, Los Angeles, Mrs. Chapman passed away September 19, 1894. Noble traits of heart and mind made Mrs. Chapman preeminent in family and church circles, while her accomplishments fitted her to grace the most aristocratic social functions. Her charming personal appearance, lovable nature and graceful manner won the affectionate regard of a host of friends. Earth held so much of joy in an ideal home happiness that she could not covet the boon death proffered, yet she accepted it with the fortitude that characterized her sweet Christian resignation to intense suffering through a long illness.

     The present wife of Mr. Chapman was Miss Clara Irvin, daughter of S. M. and Lucy A. Irvin, and a native of Iowa, but from childhood a resident of Los Angeles until her marriage September 3, 1898. They have one child, Irvin Clarke.  Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have traveled extensively, both in this country and abroad.  Both are members of the Christian Church, with which Mr. Chapman united at the age of sixteen, and in which he has held all the important official positions.  For years he was a member of the Cook County Sunday-school board, a member of the general board, Y. M. C. A. of Chicago, also an organizer of the board of city missions of the Christian churches of Chicago.  His identification with these various activities was severed upon his removal from Chicago, but he has been equally active in the West.  He has been for nearly a score of years president of the Christian Missionary Society of Southern California, and has taken part in the dedication of forty churches, being the speaker and making the appeal for money, and in a special, as well as a general, way assisted many churches.  He is a director of the Christian Board of Publication of St. Louis.  The largest of his philanthropic enterprises are the building of a hospital at Nantungchow, China, and his contribution to the California School of Christianity of Los Angeles.  For years he has served as a member of the state executive committee of the Y. M. C. A., in 1914 was president of the state convention, and in April, 1915, was elected chairman of the state executive committee.  He has been reelected annually since.  He has served as president of the State Sunday School Association, and in 1911 was elected to represent Southern California on the International Executive Committee, and was vice-chairman of the Committee.  In 1914 he was reelected to both positions, and continues to serve on the Committee.  In 1903 he was appointed by Governor Pardee a trustee of the State Normal School at San Diego, was reappointed by him, and later by Governor Gillett, and still later by Governor Johnson, resigning after a service of ten years.  In 1907 he was elected a trustee of Pomona College, serving until 1915.  Upon the organization of the California School of Christianity, he was chosen a trustee and president of the board.

     Since coming to California Mr. Chapman has devoted much attention to building up the Santa Ysabel rancho near Fullerton, which, under his supervision, has been developed into one of the most valuable orange properties in the state.  The Old Mission brand, under which name the fruit is packed, has a reputation second to none in the best markets of the country, and prices commanded have been the record prices for California oranges since 1897.  He also has other valuable orange ranches in the neighborhood of Fullerton.

     In politics Mr. Chapman is a Republican.  He has served as a member of the state central committee, and in 1912 made an unsuccessful race for nomination for state senator.  He was elected one of the first trustees of Fullerton, served as chairman of the board, and was reelected for a second term.  He is a director of the Commercial National Bank of Los Angeles and of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Fullerton.  He is interested in mining and in the oil business, and has large realty holdings in Los Angeles and elsewhere.  The most important of these is the Charles C. Chapman Building, a thirteen story office building, in Los Angeles.

     Mr. Chapman has been closely identified with the irrigation interests that lie at the foundation of success in fruit culture.  He served as director and president of the Anaheim Union Water Company for several years.  He has made the fruit industry a success, has encouraged others to greater efforts in the same business, and has proved a power for good in the development of horticulture in Southern California.  He has borne his share in public affairs, in religious work and in social circles, as well as in his chosen occupation of grower and shipper of fruit.  Activities so far-reaching, aspirations so broad and influences so philanthropic have given his name prominence, while he has become endeared to thousands of citizens through his humanitarian views, his progressive tendencies, his gentle courtesy and his unceasing interest in important moral, educational, religious and political questions.

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