The history book states that Samuel M. CHAPMAN was born in Blairsville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, son of Joseph & Eliza ( POLLOCK) CHAPMAN
Civil War Veteran
Co E 1st Iowa Infantry
Co K 14th Iowa Infantry

Chapman, Samuel M.
Age 22. Residence Kossuth,Ia
Nativity Pennsylvania.
Enlisted April 20, 1861 into 1st Iowa Infantry.
Mustered May 14, 1861 Keokuk,IA.
Mustered out Aug. 21, 1861.

The 1st Iowa Infantry during its 3 month enlistment
was engaged in operations in Missouri including
the Battle of Wilson's Creek.

Enlisted Oct. 18,1861, as Sergeant into 14th Iowa Infantry.
Mustered Nov. 6, 1861 Davenport,IA.
Mustered out Nov. 16, 1864 expiration of
3 year term of service, Davenport, Iowa.

Service of the 14th Iowa Infantry included Battles of Ft Henry, Ft Donelson and Shiloh,TN Apr 6-7 1862. This unit held the center of "the Hornet's Nest", the most active area of the battlefield. After enduring 10 hours of battle, holding off charge after charge, they finally capitulated when surrounded and out of ammunition. Some were killed after they had surrendered with their hands in the air. Most of regiment was captured. They were paroled Oct 12 1862 and exchanged Nov 19 1862. The remnants of the unit not captured were assigned to the Union Brigade and participated in the advance and siege of Corinth, MS Apr 29 –May 30. The 14th was reunited at Davenport,IA. Duty at Cairo,IL until Jan 1864. Participated in the Red River Campaign Mar 10 – May 22 1864. This included Ft DeRussey, Battle of Pleasant Hill, Cane River Crossing, Occupation of Alexandria, Mansura. March through Arkansas and Missouri in pursuit of Price Sep 17 –Oct 25. Unit mustered out Nov 16 1864.

PIONEER LAWYER DIES AT PLATTSMOUTH HOME.
Brief intelligence was received at noon today by Hon. J. B. Strode, telling of the death at Plattsmouth at 11 a.m. today of Hon. Samuel M. Chapman. He had been ill for about a week with a complication of ailments involving the bladder and the liver.
Few men in Nebraska enjoyed a wider acquaintance than did Sam Chapman, although his prominence in recent years has not been so pronounced as during the state's earlier history. He had attained the age of sixty-seven years, two months and eight days, and had lived for over forty-two years in this state, all of the time at Plattsmouth. For years he has been in ill health more or less of the time. Tall, spare and angular in physique, nervous in temperament and strenuous in impulses, he has lacked for many years the ruggedness that attaches to one of less eccentric habits and inclinations.
Deceased was born in Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1893 [1839]. His father was a farmer of less than moderate means and a family of seven children, of whom Samuel was one of the younger. The father, like the son, was a man of great energy and although he had not enjoyed a single day's schooling, he managed to acquire an education that was beyond the ordinary attainments of the men of his day. Four years after the birth of the boy Samuel the father removed to Iowa and settled upon a farm, where Samuel grew to manhood as a farmer boy. When the war broke out Samuel was attending Yellow Springs college, in Des Moines county. He was one of the very first in Iowa to enlist, the date being April 18, 1861, in the First Iowa Infantry, which was an organization of three months volunteers. At the expiration of his term in this famous regiment he re-enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, in which he served three years, participating in all the engagements of that regiment, and was mustered out of service in 1864.
Immediately after leaving the army he moved westward, settling in Plattsmouth on New Years day, 1865. There he took up the study of law in the office of the late T. M. Marquette, was admitted to practice in the year 1867 and commenced practice as a partner of the late Samuel Maxwell, afterwards one of the best known justices of the supreme court.
Time was when Sam Chapman was recognized as one of the strongest lawyers in the state and he doubtless would have held a commanding position to the end had not his health and his fealty to the town which first won his allegiance interfered. During the years of his greatest vigor he was also quite prominent politically, having served two terms as a member of the state senate and later two terms and part of another as judge of the district court. His service as senator was 1875 and 1877, and his service as judge in the latter 80's and early 90's."
- Lincoln Journal Star, Page 5; January 5, 1907

DEATH RECORD. Judge Samuel M. Chapman.
PLATTSMOUTH, Neb., Jan. 5 (Special) Judge Samuel M. Chapman passed away at his home in this city Saturday. He was born in Blainsville [sic], Pa., October 28, 1839, and came to Plattsmouth in 1864. He read law with Hon. T. M. Marquett, and was admitted to the bar in 1876, after which time a partnership was formed with Hon. Samuel Maxwell, which lasted the latter was selected a judge of the supreme court in 1873. In 1886 Mr. Chapman was elected judge of the district court, and was re-elected in 1887. He was married to Miss S. E. Putnam of Ludlow, Vt., in 1869, and to them were born four children, Harriet, Emeline, who died in infancy; Thomas and Sarah. His wife died February 11, 1880. In June, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Agnes D. Sampson, and to them have been born, Samuel Maxwell, deceased; Helen, John, Ruth, Joseph and Clement. Judge Chapman has always taken considerable interest in public affairs, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for president. He was elected to the state senate in 1875 and re-elected in 1877, and was chairman of the judiciary committee through both terms. He was a member of the Independent Order Odd Fellows lodge, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Nebraska chapter No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, and Mt. Zion Commandery No. 5, Knights Templar. The funeral services will probably be held Monday."
- Omaha Daily Bee, Page 9; January 6, 1907
Contributor: Jeffrey J. Woita (47231641)