In 1860 he published a small volume of poetry that is most notable for a lengthy tribute to the famed arctic physician-explorer Elisha Kent Kane.
There was however little poetic literature published on America's arctic hero - Elisha Kent Kane.
His premature death from rheumatic heart disease in 1857 at age 37 was unexpected and stunned the nation.
Eulogies, orations and short verses were delivered during the obsequies held in his honor, but Chapman's "Tribute" is the only lengthy, 19th-century poetical piece published in hardcover.
In 1869, Chapman was appointed by Governor John Thompson Hoffman a Canal Commissioner, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Oliver Bascom.