Reuben Chapman, governor of Alabama, was born in Randolph county, Va., July 15, 1799. He was educated at an academy in his native state, was admitted to the bar, and settled in Somerville, Morgan county, Ala., where he practised his profession. He served for many years as a member of the state legislature. He was elected as Democratic representative to the 24th Congress, taking his seat Dec. 7, 1835, and was re-elected to the six succeeding congresses, serving until March 3, 1847. He was governor of Alabama, 1847-48, and was a delegate to the national Democratic conventions held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1856; in Charleston, S. C., in 1860; and New York city in 1868. He died at Huntsville, Ala., May 17, 1882.

The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans 1904

Copyright © Christine Walters All Rights Reserved