J. A. Chapman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 17th, 22nd and 25thMayor of Portland, Oregon | |
| In office 1867–1868 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas J. Holmes |
| Succeeded by | Hamilton Boyd |
| In office 1875–1877 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Failing |
| Succeeded by | William Spencer Newbury |
| In office 1882–1885 | |
| Preceded by | David P. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | John Gates |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1821-09-04)September 4, 1821 Friendship, New York, US |
| Died | December 12, 1885(1885-12-12) (aged 64) Portland, Oregon, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Physician, politician |
James A. Chapman (September 4, 1821 – December 12, 1885) was a physician in the U.S. state ofOregon who served three non-consecutive terms asmayor of Portland, Oregon.
Chapman was born inFriendship, New York. He studied medicine and graduated fromGeneva Medical College in 1846.[1] He set up a medical practice inCuba, New York, and after a few years, moved toDundee, New York, where he began another practice.[1][2]
In 1861, with the onset of theAmerican Civil War, Chapman volunteered for service and was appointed surgeon with the 50th New York Regiment. He remained with the regiment as it moved south until 1862, when he was transferred to an overland expedition under CaptainMedorem Crawford to assist emigrants toOregon.[1][2][3]
After the expedition arrived inPortland, Oregon, in late 1862, Chapman joinedJames C. Hawthorne's medical practice, but Hawthorne left shortly after to run the newly establishedOregon Hospital for the Insane.[1] Chapman began a new practice with William H. Watkins.[2]
In June 1867, mayorThomas J. Holmes, who had been appointed the previous year after the resignation ofHenry Failing, was elected to a full term, and then died the following morning.[4] JudgeAaron E. Waite was first chosen by the City Council to replace Holmes, but declined due to ill health.[5][6] Chapman was appointed mayor on July 31, 1867,[7][8] and served until the following June, when a special election to complete Holmes' term was won byHamilton Boyd.[2][8]
In the early 1870s, Chapman was appointed surgeon-general to the Oregon militia by GovernorLa Fayette Grover.[2] In 1875, he sought election as mayor against incumbentHenry Failing. Chapman defeated Failing, who had been criticized for a number of his ordinances and his response to a massive 1872 fire that consumed 22 blocks of the Portland waterfront.[9] Chapman served one two-year term, and then ran again in 1882, defeating another incumbent,David P. Thompson.[10]
Late in 1885, Chapman suffered serious injuries after being thrown from hisbuggy when he drove it into a low-hanging telephone wire.[3][11] A few weeks later, he suffered astroke and died from his injuries.[3][11] He is buried inLone Fir Cemetery.[citation needed]
