California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


PLEASANT FAIR CHAPMAN, M. D. Prominent among the most highly respected and 
esteemed citizens of Portersville was the late Dr. P. F. Chapman, who was for several years one 
of the leading physicians of this section of Tulare county, but for several years, on account 
of ill health, lived retired from his professional labors. His death occurred October 10, 1904, at 
his home in Portersville. A man of strong mental attainments, he was endowed with business 
ability and tact, and during his active career accumulated a fine property. A native of Illinois, 
he was born June 27, 1831, in Fulton county, a son. of Wilson and Sarah (Steward) Chapman, 
both of whom were born in Tennessee, and died in Arkansas. His father was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and after moving from his native state to Illinois lived there but a few years, going 
thence to Washington county, Ark. 

The eldest child of a family consisting of two sons and three daughters, P. F. Chapman was 
brought up in Arkansas, receiving his early education in the public schools. He subsequently be- 
gan to read medicine with Dr. Pollard, of Lafayette, Ark., and was afterward graduated from 
a medical college with the degree of M. D. He began the practice of his profession in Washing- 
ton county, Ark., and at the time of the breaking out of the Civil war was conscripted into the 
southern army, but was left at home to look after the women and children. He was subsequently 
again conscripted, sent to the front, and being taken prisoner, was confined at Fort Smith, 
where he resumed the practice of his profession, remaining there several years after the close of 
the conflict. Coming to California in 1874, Dr. Chapman resided for a short time in Sacramento 
before locating in Portersville as a physician. He also established a drug store in the village, 
and for many years carried on a substantial business as a druggist, besides having an extensive 
and lucrative patronage as a general practitioner. His health failing, the doctor was forced to re- 
linquish his practice, and very soon afterward, in 1897, his store was burned, entailing a heavy 
loss. He then retired from active pursuits, honored and respected by all. In 1898 Dr. Chapman 
erected the Chapman block, a fine brick building, situated in the central part of the town, and he 
also owned a valuable ranch of four hundred and eighty acres, located on the Tule river, about 
twenty-five miles from Portersville. 

In Fayetteville, Ark., Dr. Chapman married Sarah House, who was born in Raleigh, N. C, a 
daughter of Warren House. Mr. House was born and reared in North Carolina, but removed from 
there to Tennessee, locating on a farm near Nashville. He subsequently became a pioneer .of Ark- 
ansas, and having improved a ranch in the vicinity of Fayetteville, resided there until his death. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Delilia Carroll, was born in North Carolina and died in Arkan- 
sas. Dr. and Mrs. Chapman became the parents of three children, namely : Mrs. Elizabeth Wal- 
lace, living near Portersville ; Mrs. Melissa Jane Logston, of San Bernardino, Cal. ; and Mrs. Ten- 
nessee Treefry, of Portersville. In his political affiliations the doctor was a stanch Republican. 
He belonged to the Knights of Pythias, and was an active member of the Christian Church.