Silas Chapman
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Silas Chapman | |
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| Born | June 9, 1813 |
| Died | December 14, 1899 (aged 86) |
| Occupations | Educator, map publisher |
| Known for | Popular maps of the upper Midwest in the era of rapid settlement |
Silas Chapman (June 9, 1813 – December 14, 1899) was a Milwaukee map and book publisher known primarily for his maps of the upper Midwest, which were influential at a pivotal time of the settlement of that region. When he arrived in Milwaukee harbor in 1841, there were 2,000 inhabitants, the roads were crude, most of the area was oak prairie, and the towns of the region had not yet been settled. Within 20 years, with the help of an influx of skilled engravers, especially from Germany, his firm was producing fine detailed maps, many of which became collector's items. He published 55 different maps during his life. An 1880s map of Milwaukee sold 100,000 copies, at a time when the population of the city was 150,000.[1]