[2] Born in Erneston, Upper Canada[3] (now Ontario), the son of Robert Lapum,[4] he was a merchant[3] and served as postmaster for Centreville for 20 years.

In 1844, Lapum married Martha Fisk.

[4] He served as reeve for Camden Township for 7 years.

[3] Lapum opened a cheese factory in partnership with John Stewart Miller in 1870.

[5] In 1867, he was elected to the 1st Canadian Parliament for the riding of Addington.