Plumas County Biographies

John C. Chapman 

Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Dec. 2004 

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is a native of Ohio. He learned the trade of smelting, and was engaged in 
smelting copper near Iron Mountain, Missouri, in 1852, when he started overland 
to California. On their arrival he and his brother settled on a ranch in 
American valley, but John did not succeed, and moved to Indian Valley. Here he 
tried farming, but though a very industrious and temperate man, he failed to 
make his husbandry pay. He then built a furnace for the smelting and manufacture 
of copper, in Genesee valley, and this enterprise failed for the want of ore. In 
1869 he was put in nomination by the democratic convention for county treasurer, 
and defeated James C. Gentry by a large majority. He was re-elected in 1871, 
again in 1873, also in 1875, and was put in for a fifth term in 1877. Late in 
the year 1878 he resigned the office because of a deficiency in his accounts 
[see article on Finances], and retired to private life. His successor was Dr. L. 
F. Cate, who was appointed in January, 1879, to fill the unexpired term. 
 
Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 
1513 to 1850. – Fariss and Smith, San Francisco,  1882. p 190