BIO: Benjamin Roland Chapeze, Bullitt/Jefferson Co., KY

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Transcribed by: awest1@tampabay.rr.com
Date: 17 Oct 2000
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Transcript of this Memorial Letter is donated by Walter O. Bruning, M.D. of Louisville
IN MEMORY OF BEN CHAPEZE.

Ben Chapeze was born in Bullitt County, Kentucky about sixty years ago, the son of Adam and Maria 
Smith Chapeze. He received his academic education at Saint Joseph's College, Bardstown, Kentucky, 
and then began the study of law in the office of Charles Carroll, at Shepherdsville, Kentucky.  
After being admitted to the bar, practiced his profession for many years at Shepherdsville, which 
town was founded by his great grandfather, Adam Shepherd. 

Ben Chapeze was named after his grandfather, who was a contemporary of Ben Hardin, and like Ben 
Hardin, was one of the famous trial lawyers of Kentucky in his day.

Like his famous namesake, he also was known throughout the state as a fine trial lawyer, and engaged 
in many famous trials, civil and criminal, during his career.  He served with great credit to 
himself as County Attorney for Bullitt County.

His maternal ancestors were of Massachusetts Colonial stock, the Jenks family, known in their native 
state and New York for their intellectual attainments, and for their many contributions to the bench 
and bar of those states.

His wife, Elizabeth Newman Chapeze, now deceased, was a grand niece of the famous English Cardinal 
Newman, whose hymn "Lead Kindly Light", is known throughout the world.

Ben Chapeze, for many years was a law Partner of the late Nat Halstead, and in 1906, also opened an 
office in Louisville, where he enjoyed a large practice, by reason of his integrity and ability, He 
made his clients cause his own, and no person, however humble or poor was denied his services.

The most salient characteristic of Ben Chapeze, was his purity of mind and heart.  No one ever heard 
him utter an oath or tell a questionable story.  He was most devout in the practice of his faith, 
and those who knew him intimately felt that he was of those spoken of in the sermon on the Mount: 
"Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God·" The Committee therefore recommends the 
adoption of the following resolutions:

Resolved that in the death of Ben Chapeze, the bar has lost a learned, able and valued member, and 
resolved that these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the general term and that a copy be 
sent to his family.

       (Signed) W. T. McNally
        Lee Hamilton
        Ernest Woodward
        Wallace D. McGhan
        Charles Carroll


LOUIS VISSMAN    Postmark on envelope is October 31, 1925
CLERK JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT 
LOUISVILLE. KENTUCKY