Frank A. Chapman, proprietor of Hotel Chapman at Blenheim, Schoharie County, N. Y., may be spoken of as an ideal landlord, being active, enterprising, and at all times obliging and pleasant. He was born in the nearby town of Fulton, June 25, 1871, a son of Moses L. Chapman, a lifelong resident of that place.
His paternal grandfather, Jacob Chapman, was born in Rensselaerville, Albany County, and lived there after marriage. Removing then to Fulton, he bought a large tract of timbered land at Bouck's Falls, where he cleared and improved a homestead, and passed his remaining days, dying at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He was prominently connected with the Methodist church of that place, in which he served in various official positions. His wife, Huldah Wynans, a native of Cooksburg, N. Y., bore him eleven children, of whom seven are living, being, with one exception, residents of Schoharie County. They are: Spencer, a farmer at Bouck's Falls; Nancy C., wife of Chauncey Shattuck, of Michigan; Maria Mann, of Breakabeen; Moses L.; James P., ex-Supervisor of Middleburg; Elizabeth L., wife of Dr. Holmes; and William W., of Bouck's Falls, ex-Supervisor of Fulton. The deceased are: Adam, late of Bouck's Falls; Harriett E.; Isabella, deceased, who married Hiram Ackerson; and Dr. Peter L.
Moses L. Chapman remained at the parental homestead until he was of age, and then engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He bought a large farm in Fulton, on which he made substantial improvements, including the erection of a new set of buildings, and was there successfully employed as a general farmer until his death, at the comparatively early age of forty-two years. He was a Democrat in politics and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged; and both were interested in its Sunday-school. He married Huldah A. Beard, daughter of Jacob and Adeline (Phillips) Beard. Her parents were wealthy members of the farming community of Richmondville. They reared three children, namely: Sarah, who married Judge Holmes, for twelve years judge of Schoharie County; Huldah A.; and John. Mrs. Beard died at the age of forty-five years, and Mr. Beard afterward removed to Genesee County, where he attained the venerable age of ninety years. Of the nine children born to the parents, six are still living, as follows: William H.; the Hon. Charles Chapman, a member of the Assembly; Ida, wife of J. S. Hunt, of Boston; Frank A.; Flora, of Boston; and Dora. Hattie is deceased. The mother passed to the life beyond when fifty-five years of age.
Frank A. Chapman was but eight years old when his father died. He remained at home until after completing his education in the schools of West Fulton and Blenheim, and then came to his present hotel as a clerk for his brother, a capacity in which he remained two years. Going then to Worcester, Mass., he was an attendant at the asylum for the insane three years. In 1893 Mr. Chapman returned to Blenheim and purchased the hotel, which he has since conducted with eminent success. He has enlarged the building, partly refurnished it, made substantial improvements in and around it, and has now a model public house, the leading one in this section of the State. It is well adapted for the entertainment of guests from the city. Connected with it is a first-class livery, with a number of horses of good qualities, one pair especially being the finest of any in the vicinity. Mr. Chapman has had charge for some time of the stage line between Middleburg and Gilboa, and also of the line from the latter place to Grand Gorge, six miles beyond, and has the contract for carrying the mails between these places.
On December 28, 1893, Mr. Chapman married Elizabeth M. Ross, who was born in Littleton, Me., a daughter of Joseph and Hester (Weeks) Ross. Her mother was born in St. John, N. B. Mrs. Chapman was educated at the Ricker Classical Institute in Houlton, Aroostook County, Me., and previous to her marriage she taught school in that town. Mr. Chapman is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Middleburg Tribe of Red Men and of Gilboa Lodge, F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are both members of the Eastern Star Lodge, F. & A. M., of Gilboa.