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 (USSG or SG), is the fourth-highest-ranking official within the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), and represents the federal government in cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. ...

from 1889 until his death in 1890.

Early life

Orlow W. Chapman was born on January 7, 1832, in Ellington, Connecticut, to Hortensia (née Dorman) and Calvin Chapman. 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 university, private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, and second in the s ...

Schenectady, New York Schenectady ( ) is a City (New York), city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the United States Census 2020, 2020 census, the city's population of 67,047 made it the state's ninth-most populo ...

, in 1854 with a

Bachelor of Arts A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts deg ...

. He was a member of

Phi Beta Kappa The Phi Beta Kappa Society () is the oldest academic honor society in the United States. It was founded in 1776 at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. Phi Beta Kappa aims to promote and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, ...

. 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 Administrative divisions of New York#Town, 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/s ...

. In 1857, he was admitted to the bar.

Career

In 1858, Chapman moved to

Binghamton, New York Binghamton ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of New York, and serves as the county seat of Broome County. Surrounded by rolling hills, it lies in the state's Southern Tier region near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the c ...

, 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 The New York State Senate is the upper house of the New York State Legislature, while the New York State Assembly is its lower house. Established in 1777 by the Constitution of New York, its members are elected to two-year terms with no term l ...

(24th D.) from 1868 to 1871, sitting in the 91st, 92nd, 93rd and 94th New York State Legislatures. 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 (USSG or SG), is the fourth-highest-ranking official within the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), and represents the federal government in cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. ...

. He remained in that role until his death.

Personal life

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

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

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 Solicitors general of the United States Politicians from Binghamton, New York Lawyers from Binghamton, New York Deaths from pneumonia in Washington, D.C. 19th-century American lawyers 19th-century members of the New York State Legislature