#9 - George H. Chapman

 

George H. Chapman
Birth:     5 Jan 1838  Canton, St. Lawrence, New York
Death: 12 Oct 1922 Prescott, Yavapai, AZ

Entered Pioneer Home Feb 24, 1911 at age 73
Lived there 11 years, 6 months

George Chapman was a miner who lived in Greenlee county for some years, having arrived in Arizona in 1879. Tales of his early adventures come from newspaper accounts.  One 1907 story in the Tombstone Weekly Epitaph states that "George Chapman has been identified with the mines and mining interests of the west for the past thirty-five years, his observations fitting him to speak with a degree of accuracy in regard to the merits of a mineral region."

There are a few different accounts of his numerous trips to Old Mexico to seek his fortune in the mines there.  A 1901 article states "George Chapman, a brother to Judge Chapman of Morenci, arrived from Mexico this week, and has taken the contract to erect some buildings at the Standard mines.  George is an old timer in the southwest, and has made several fortunes, but has been a little out of luck for the past few years, but is just the same old George.  he will return to Mexico this fall and expects to locate the biggest gold mine on the continent."

Apparently he never did find that great big strike.  He returned to Arizona where he took up carpenter work.   In the 1900 census he is listed as a lodger in the home of Edwin and Susan Harwell in Graham, AZ and lists his occupation as Millwright.  The 1910 census is a bit more specific, letting us know he was working on his "own account" rather than as an employee.  At that time he as a carpenter in the millwright industry.  He lived on La Baranca street in Clifton.  He would enter the  Arizona Pioneers' Home the following year.

Newspapers.com.  Tombstone Weekly Epitaph (Tombstone, Arizona) 25 Aug 1907 "Nacozari Rapidly Going to the Front".   https://www.newspapers.com/image/42335580/?terms=George%20Chapman&match=1

Newspapers.com.  The Copper Era and Morenci Leader (Clifton, Arizona) 02 May 1901.  
https://www.newspapers.com/image/174239979/?terms=George%20Chapman&match=1