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Thomas Chapman, (Brandon’s first Watchmaker) was born on August 6th 1850.
8/6/2010 at 8:03 AM
He was the son of Alfred Mundy Chapman, and Sarah Applefield, both were English, and lived in Somerset England.
Mr. Thomas was educated at a Private School in Somerset, and was apprenticed to a watchmaker.
In 1870 he Immigrated to Toronto Ontario, and worked at watch manufacturing for 1½ years, and at Lindsay, Ontario for 3½ years.
He moved to Winnipeg in 1875 to work as a watchmaker for 5 years, and in 1880 he moved to the Brandon Hills to Homestead 560 Acres (300 under cultivation), and raise Livestock.
In February of 1877 he married Mary Andrew, sister of George Andrew, a Winnipeg Jeweller.
They had thirteen children, but only ten were still living in 1906: Jennie: Jessie, born 1879: George William, born 1885: Charles Edwin, born 1889: John Edward, born 1891: Bertha, born 1893: Clifford, born1895: Edith, born1899: Norman, born 1900: and Myrtle.
He was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters (I.O.F.), the Liberal Party, and the Church of England, (C. of E.), (Anglican).
He died on 17 May 1933
Source: The History of Manitoba by George Bryce. 1906.