Augustus Dow, of the firm of C. P. Chapman & Co., proprietors of the Chapman Roller Mills, Pittsfield, is classed among the most enterprising and progressive business men of Pike County. He is one of the foremost citizens of this city, and is pre-eminent in its public and political life.

Our subject is of New England birth and antecedents. He was born in the town of South Coventry, Conn., October 9, 1841, and is a son of Cyrus and Charity A. (Chapman) Dow, who were of Scotch descent. His mother is still living and is now in her eightieth year. His father was born in 1800, and died in 1855, while yet scarcely past the prime of life.

Augustus Dow, of whom we write, was educated in the public schools of his native town and later attended an academy where he pursued a good practical course of study. He began his career in life as a clerk at Hartford, Conn. Wisely thinking that in the great West of which Illinois was then considered to be a part, a young man of energy, good business habits and enterprise, could make his way more rapidly than in the older towns of the East, he came to this county in 1858. He accepted a position as clerk in a store in Pittsfield, and was employed in that capacity till 1862. In that year he entered the service of the Government and was appointed paying clerk of the Army of the Cumberland under Maj. W. E. Norris, with his headquarters at Louisville, Ky., where he remained till 1865.

After the close of the war Mr. Dow returned to Pittsfield and established himself as a dry-goods merchant. He conducted that business till 1871, when he joined Mr. C. P. Chapman in the milling business. He has devoted himself strictly to his work and has gained a full understanding of milling in all its details. The mills of which he is part proprietor, were built in 1870, and were operated as burr mills until the year 1883, when they were changed to the roller process. We take from the following notice this fine description of the mills:

The Chapman & Co's roller mills are the finest and largest flouring mills in this whole section of Illinois, having a daily capacity of five hundred barrels. They were refitted in 1883 with the full roller process, and in fact with everything in the machinery line known to the art of advanced milling. The mill is a three story brick, 50xl00 feet in dimensions, with a basement and an elevator in the rear of the mill, 28x32 in dimensions. It is lighted throughout by the Thompson-Houston incandescent system. The brands of flour manufactured by Messrs. Chapman & Co., are Crystal, Gem, Principio, Shaws Mills, Dow's Extra, Superlative, and Peace in the family, which have a sale all over the United States, but particularly throughout New England, owing to the light grade and standard quality. The company manufactures all its own barrels, and has a brick cooper shop in the rear, 40x80 feet in dimensions with an L 40x40 feet and employing twenty-five coopers. The whole number of men, employed about the mills is from forty to fifty.

Mr. Dow has been twice married. His first marriage which was with Miss Jennie S. Weinans, was consummated in this county in (30 November) 1865. She was a native of New Jersey, was born in 1841, and died in 1870. Mr. Dow was again married in 1872 in St. Louis, to Judith W. Morton, who was born in Massachusetts in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Dow have one son, Harry A. They have a handsome residence in Pittsfield, which is the centre of one of the most attractive homes in the city.

Mr. Dow is a very conspicuous figure in the management of public affairs. He is President of the Board of Trustees and has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors, and in both capacities his fine business talents, tact and good executive ability make him an invaluable official. Mr. Dow is one of the leading Republicans of the county and is secretary of the Central Committee. He is one of the Directors of the First National Bank and his name stands high in financial circles far beyond the limits of this county.

Portraits and Biographical Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, 1891