Orlow W. Chapman (January 7, 1832 – January 19, 1890) was an American politician from New York. He served as

United States Solicitor General The solicitor general of the United States is the fourth-highest-ranking official in the United States Department of Justice. Elizabeth Prelogar has been serving in the role since October 28, 2021. The United States solicitor general represent ...

from 1889 to his death in 1890.

Early life

Orlow W. Chapman was born on January 7, 1832, in

Ellington, Connecticut Ellington is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. Ellington was incorporated in May 1786, from East Windsor. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 16,426. History Originally the area in what is now Ellington was named ...

, to Hortensia (née Dorman) and

Calvin Chapman Calvin Louis Chapman (December 20, 1910 – April 1, 1983) was an infielder and outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They co ...

. His father was a member of the Connecticut State Legislature. While in Ellington, Chapman received his primary education in a local academy in Ellington. He then proceeded to graduate from

Union College Union College is a private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, and second in the state of New York, after Columbia Co ...

Schenectady, New York Schenectady () is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2020 census, the city's population of 67,047 made it the state's ninth-largest city by population. The city is in eastern New Y ...

, in 1854 with a

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four year ...

. He was a member of

Phi Beta Kappa The Phi Beta Kappa Society () is the oldest academic honor society in the United States, and the most prestigious, due in part to its long history and academic selectivity. Phi Beta Kappa aims to promote and advocate excellence in the liberal ...

. After earning his undergraduate degree, he spent one year as Professor of Languages in the Fergusonville Academy in Delaware County. Chapman then studied law under Robert Parker of Parker & Gleason in

Delhi, New York Delhi ( ) is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 4,795 at the 2020 census.US Census Bureau, 2020 Census, Delhi town, Delaware County, New York https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?searchType=web&cssp=SERP ...

. In 1857, he was admitted to the bar.

Career

In 1858, Chapman moved to Binghamton, New York, and established a law practice. He was appointed district attorney of Broome County by Governor Edwin D. Morgan in 1862. He served in that role until 1867. In 1868, he formed a partnership with C. E. Martin. He remained in that partnership until Martin became a judge. He then partnered with George F. Lyon. Chapman remained in that partnership until his death. Chapman was a member of the New York State Senate (24th D.) from 1868 to 1871, sitting in the 91st, 92nd, 93rd and

94th New York State Legislature The 94th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 3 to April 21, 1871, during the third year of John T. Hoffman's governorship, in Albany. Background Under the provis ...

s. Subsequently, he was appointed Superintendent of New York State Insurance Department, where he served until his resignation on January 31, 1876. During Chapman’s time as superintendent he also served as president of the National Insurance Commissioners’ Association and he focused on eliminating corrupt states’ fostering of large and fraudulent companies. During his term Chapman also initiated the creation of an Executive Committee formed from and elected by Insurance Superintendents from each state. On May 29, 1889, President Harrison appointed Chapman

Solicitor General of the United States The solicitor general of the United States is the fourth-highest-ranking official in the United States Department of Justice. Elizabeth Prelogar has been serving in the role since October 28, 2021. The United States solicitor general represent ...

. He remained in that role until his death.

Personal life

Chapman died of pneumonia on January 19, 1890, while working in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

He was buried at Spring Forest Cemetery.

References

External links

www.usdoj.gov
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Chapman, Orlow W 1832 births 1890 deaths New York (state) state senators People from Ellington, Connecticut Union College (New York) alumni United States Solicitors General Politicians from Binghamton, New York 19th-century American legislators Lawyers from Binghamton, New York Deaths from pneumonia in Washington, D.C. 19th-century American lawyers