Hopkins Co., TX - Biography - William Chapman ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Pat Howard USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIS CHAPMAN William Chapman, father of Benjamin, James, Willis and Ellis Chapman, came to Hopkins County in the year 1850. Willis, his son, coming in advance of his father about one year. William Chapman, father of Willis, lived in the county until the year 1872, and passed away, and is buried in Hopkins County, at the family burying ground. His four sons lived as citizens of Hopkins County until they were removed by death. Willis is the only surviving son. He married Nancy Bottoms in the year 1855. five children were born to them. Three of this number are living: J. E. and J. W. Chapman and Mrs. M. M. Davis. Willis had the great misfortune to lose his companion in the year 1869. Subsequently he married Miss Harriet Smith, daughter of a prominent physician of Hopkins County. By this marriage eight children were born to them, five of whom are living. When Willis came into Hopkins County, the county site had just been located at Tarrant. There were some ten or twelve buildings, including courthouse and jail, which was constructed of small logs, and there were only a few permanent settlers in the county. Dr. O. S. Davis, who is well known all over Hopkins County, moved to where Sulphur Springs is now situated, and began to advertise the medicinal properties of the Sulphur water in such favorable terms that people came from all directions and camped around the spring in tents, during the summer season, and used the water for their health. The change of water proved beneficial, and within a short period of time people began to buy lands and settle in the vicinity of the springs. This incident is, perhaps, why Dr. Davis is called the father of Sulphur Springs. Mr. Chapman is living to-day upon the same tract of land that he first settled upon when he began to fight the battles of life. He has always been happy and contented with his condition in life. He is kindly disposed, good natured, a member of the Methodist church, and a worker for the cause of Christ, has faith in his God and feels that he will be rewarded in the end. SOURCE: Early History of Hopkins County Texas - E. B. Fleming, Publisher 1902 P. 154 – 156 Transcribed by Pat Howard