CHAPMAN BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri
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CHAPMAN, Nelson Knight - b: 1839 Henry Co, KY
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 563
residence: Windsor

Nelson Knight Chapman, attorney-at-law, notary public, etc., was born in Henry 
County, Kentucky, in 1839, his parents being William Chapman, a native of 
Virginia, and Nannie (Knight) Chapman, originally from North Carolina. They came 
to Missouri in 1842 and settled in Morgan County, where William bought a farm 
and brought up his family. Nelson's early advantages for acquiring an education 
were very limited, though his zeal for books was great. He early went to learn 
the wagon and carriage trade, and during this time continued studying. He became 
a soldier early in the war, joining the First Missouri Infantry, State Service. 
When his time expired he enlisted in Captain Chapman's (his brother) company of 
cavalry, Shelby's Brigade. He remained through the war; was taken prisoner in 
May in Greene County, Missouri, court-martialed for being a spy and duly 
condemned to be shot the following August at Lebanon, Missouri, some distance 
from the prison. He was shackled with a chain fourteen inches in length about his 
ankle and placed in a double wagon to ride to the place of execution. Halting once 
for the night, while the guard was asleep at the end of the wagon he escaped at 
the front end, and made his way into some brush and hid under an old log. A long 
search was made for him, but he could not be found. The train left with other 
prisoners, and he for several nights wandered around and at last found a 
blacksmith shop, and with the sledge hammer and cold chisel relieved himself 
and made his way home, in Morgan County, where he found protection. Injustice to 
Mr. Chapman it is proper to say here that General Sanborn, in command of the 
Federals, was opposed to the finding of the court martial and would have 
reprieved him could an order have reached him. In 1871 he came to Windsor and 
opened a wagon shop, working during the days and studying law evenings. He 
carried on his shop until 1875, studied until 1878 and was then admitted to the 
bar by Judge Foster P. Wright. He immediately started an office and now has built 
up a fine practice. Colonel Boone, of Clinton, rendered him valuable advice and aid 
during his studies, and in his practice he finds in him a valuable friend. He 
married Miss Mary Jane Hall in 1863. She died June 1, 1881, leaving five children: 
Jennie Lee, Mabel Gray, Claudius Eugene, Annie E. and Charles Henry. His second 
wife was Miss Ella Evans, whom he married May 3, 1882. She was born in 
Louisville, Kentucky. Politically, Mr. C. is a Democrat. He belongs to the Baptist 
Church. He is now city attorney of Windsor.

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