100 years ago November 10, 1922

Official Report of Council Proceedings

Regular meeting, Council Chambers

Oct. 17, 1922

Meeting called to order by Mayor Gregerson

…Whereas, the Mayor of Stanley is in receipt of a letter from S. G. Moon, Vice President of the North Western Lumber Co., under date of August 16, 1922, tendering to the City of Stanley the free conveyance of the title to certain described lands in and about and including what is known as the mill pond property, for a city park to be known as “Chapman Park” and expressing the hope that the city will accept the same under the terms and conditions suggested, there be it,

Resolved by the Council of Aldermen of the City of Stanley, that the Mayor be and is hereby instructed to accept the conveyance of the property described in the letter of S. G. Moon of the above date, a copy of which will be spread upon these records, under the terms and conditions prescribed in the said letter. And be it further

Resolved, that we, the official representatives of the people of the City of Stanley, acting for and in behalf of the people, express to the officials of the said North Western Lumber Co., our profound appreciation of this generous gift and record here assurances of of our desire and intentions to improve the property in keeping with the spirit and purpose of the donors, and be it further

Resolved, that the property so accepted is hereby officially designated “Chapman Park” it being understood by the people of this City that the same is a memorial to the life and public services of George H. Chapman, who served as mayor of this city from May 1, 1917 to May 1st, 1920, whose services to the community as a citizen are deserving of recognition and who departed this life on May 9, 1922

Dated at Stanley, Wisconsin, Oct. 17th, 1922 Nils G. Olson W. D. Murphy, Ordinance Committee The resolution was, on role call, adopted unanimously. On motion meeting adjourned. S. P. Lien, deputy city clerk

May 12, 1922 George H. Chapman Passes Away At Eau Claire Manufacturer, Former Mayor, and Honored Citizen, Succumbs to Illness

George H. Chapman Born Janaury 30, 1867Indianapolis, Indiana Died May 9, 1922Eau Claire, WisconsinBurial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Eau Claire Find A Grave Memorial ID 142438132

George H. Chapman died at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Tuesday night, May 9, at about ten o’ clock, aged 55 years, 4 months, and 9 days. The news came to Stanley Wednesday morning and cast a pall of sadness over the entire community. Rumors of his critical condition had preceded the news of the death yet people could not associate the robust personality of Mr. Chapman with the unwelcome messenger so they were poorly prepared for the news.

His death was due to peritonitis following an operation for appendicitis which was performed on Wednesday of last week. The disease was found to be in an aggravated form and small hopes were entertained for his recovery at any time following the operation. Preceding the operation, he had been at the hospital for two or three weeks for treatment for stomach trouble which was finally, but too late, diagnosed as appendicitis.

Although the Chapmans ceased to be residents of Stanley, last summer, Stanley still regarded Mr. Chapman as its own for his duties had kept him here for a considerable portion of the time since his family moved to Eau Claire. For seventeen years he had been a resident of this city as General Manager of the business of the North Western Lumber Co. There years during the war he served as Mayor of the city and declined a re-election in 1919 because of expected retirement here. His position as head of the lumber company here was one of unusual responsibilities and unusual difficulties and he assumed these duties when a comparatively young man and from 1904 till the present time the story of his life is inseparably woven into the history of this city. His greatest opportunity for service came during his term as Mayor which was during the war period and the great influenza pandemic. By virtue of his position, it devolved upon him to assume great responsibilities and direct many activities and it is recorded that he was equal to every demand made upon him. His service to the people was disinterested and unselfish and he will be remembered by the people of this community as a friend. Modest and of retiring disposition, he made no pretensions to the possession fo unusual talents but was willing to serve to the best of his ability wherever there seemed to be a demand for service.

George Henry Chapman was the eldest son of General and Mrs. G. H. Chapman of Indianapolis, Ind., where the deceased was born. Following the death of his father he came to reside at Eau Claire, his mother being a sister of the late Mrs. Sallie F. Moon. Through the Moon family, George entered the lumber business his first work for the company being at Porterville. His long service was distinguished by industry and close application to his work. These earned for him, by successive steps, the positions of trust and responsibility which he held as manager of the Stanley plant and vice president of the company. His close association with the other employees of the company for a long period of years gave them the best opportunity to form a true estimate of his character. The esteem in which he was held by his fellow workers took the form of a testimonial to him on his 50th birthday on January 30, 1917, when nearly a hundred of the old time employees made him their guest of honor at the Lutheran Church. The expressions of good will and approval which were accorded him on that occasion were among his most cherished memories. The record of his activities is a story of a task that was well performed. He met every duty and responsibility manfully and courageously. He was methodical by nature and was trained in correct business methods. He made a careful study of the problems which confronted him and then acted definitely and with full confidence in his own ability to see a successful conclusion. His judgment and advice were sought by men in all classes of business, especially by his employees. He participated freely in the deliberations of those who had charge of civic improvement of local, industrial and social conditions and he was accorded leadership in most of them. He was one of the organizers and founders of Victory Hospital and was one of the generous contributors to the fund, serving as President of the organization till his removal from the city. His last public participation in local affairs was at a meeting of the stockholders of the Stanley Industrial Development Co. a few weeks ago where his constructive advice was eagerly sought and acted upon.

Probably those who place the highest estimate upon his worth as a man are those who were privileged to know him in his home. He was a man of domestic tastes and was the head of an ideal household organization. He lived as become a true gentleman of refined tastes. Diffident by nature, he had few intimacies yet was never happier than when extending hospitality to those of his loyal friends who knew and understood him. And these friends who were privileged to know most of his family relations can conceive of nothing sadder than the untimely death which has brought sorrow everlasting to his devoted wife of 25 years and two children to whom he was all that a father could be.

Stanley will bow its head in sorrow this morning while his remains are laid to their last rest in Eau Claire.

The Republican thus records the estimate formed of him by the people of Stanley who knew him best and as they will remember him—a master of men with humane instincts, a trained business man whose methods were an inspiration to others, a faithful and unselfish public servant, a true, devoted and loyal friend, a tender and devoted husband and father who finally entered the great hereafter at peace with his God.

The funeral services will be conducted from St. Patrick’s Church in Eau Claire this morning at 8:30.

105 year ago April 13, 1917
Council Proceedings Regular meeting, Council Chambers, April 3, 1917. There being no quorum the meeting was adjourned until April 4th, 1917. Jess D. Green City Clerk Council Chambers, April 4th, 1917 Meeting called to order by Mayor Potter. …Moved by Honstad, seconded by Sattler, that the Council go into a Committee of the Whole to canvass the election returns of the Several Wards in the City of Stanley, for the Annual City Election, held in said city on April 3, 1917 and find the result as follows: Total for Mayor….451 Geo. H. Chapman received 444. Scattering, 7.

118 years ago June 25, 1904 Local Happenings Doings of a week in and about the busiest city in this section. Dr. Smith of Boyds was in the city Wednesday. Work was begun on the new Chapman residence this week.

The South Side School

Mayor Crane has received from Architect Snider of Chippewa Falls a preliminary sketch of plans and specifications for a two room brick building with a capacity of something over 100 pupils, to be erected on the site which the council recently decided to purchase. The building is to be furnace heated and contain and additional basement room which may be used as a polling place which will be a great convenience to the “Southsiders.” The estimated cost of the new building is $5,000.

A. Hoepnner, of Hoeppner & Bartlett, Eau Claire was in the city Thursday to direct the beginning of operations on Geo. H. Chapman’s new residence at Moon Park, this firm having been awarded the building contract.