Biography

02/04/1804 - 04/11/1891

Judge Henry Chapman (D6) Bucks County 1844-1846

Early Life:

Judge Henry Chapman, born February 4, 1804, Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; son of Abraham and Elizabeth Meredith Chapman; Doylestown Academy; Doctor Gummere’s private boys’ school, Burlington, New Jersey; studied law; admitted, bar, 1825, commenced, law practice, Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Married, Rebecca Stewart, (d. 1837) children were Elizabeth, Mary Rebecca, Henry A., and Thomas Stewart; remarried, Nancy Findlay Shunk, children, Frances, Arthur; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1844-1846; judge, fifteenth judicial district, 1845-1849; elected, Democrat, United States House of Representatives, 1857-1859; Judge, Bucks County Court, 1861; retired, 1871; died, April 11, 1891 (aged 87), Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Doylestown Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:  

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 6th district, 1844-1846.

Judge, fifteenth judicial district, 1845-1849.

Judge, Bucks County Court, 1861; retired, 1871.

Continued Government Service/National Politics:

Elected, Democrat, United States House of Representatives, Thirty-fifth Congress, 1857-1859; declined renomination, 1858.

Legacy:

Wife, Nancy Findlay Shunk, daughter, Governor Francis R. Shunk.

Built his house, Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 1844, now known as James-Lorah House, was the birthplace of Henry Chapman Mercer on June 24, 1856.

Uncle, Henry Chapman Mercer, founder, Moravian Pottery and Tile Works for making Moravian-style tiles which were later used throughout the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Cited:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6861206/henry-chapman