In 1851 Thomas M. Chapman established a foundry and machine shop under the name T. M. Chapman. They produced a saw-filing machine that was patented by Chapman. Over the ensuing years he gradually built up a line of woodworking machinery. Of note is a patent self-feeding ripsaw for use in preparing small stock such as lath, fence pickets or sash parts. They also developed a line of barrel machinery.

In 1882 Chapman eldest son, Fred M. Chapman, became partner and the name changed to T. M. Chapman & Son. Thomas Chapman died in 1888 and his son assumed control of the business. In 1900 the business incorporated as T. M. Chapman & Sons Co., with Fred as president and his younger brothers Harry and Ralph as treasurer and secretary, respectively. Fred died in 1907, and Harry assumed the presidency and Ralph became treasurer.

From 1905 edition of "In the Maine Woods", a tourist guide book

In 1917 the company began making electrical equipment, primarily for medical use. At some point in their history—certainly by 1905—they also introduced a line of stationary and marine gas engines. The business survived until at least 1926, by which time the business was primarily focused on making electrical equipment.

Information Sources

• From the 1926 book Maine Biographies by Harrie B. Coe, reprinted in 2002.

  Harry W. Chapman—As president of the old and well-known firm of T. M. Chapman & Sons Company, Harry W. Chapman has for many years been associated with one of the most interesting industries in Old Town, Maine. Born on October 24, 1879, Mr. Chapman is a some of Thomas M. and Mandana (Wallace) Chapman, both of whom are now deceased. Thomas M. Chapman, who was born in Newburgh, Maine, was the founder and head of T. M. Chapman Company, until his death in 1888. Mandana (Wallace) Chapman, was a native of Old Town.

  Harry W. Chapman received his education in the public and high schools of Old Town, later taking some courses of study from the Milwaukee Correspondence School. When his education was completed in 1882, he became associated with the T. M. Chapman Company. His first work was learning the trade of machinist. He continued in the various phases of the business, and filling different positions, until the firm was incorporated in 1900, when he was made treasurer of the company. He held this office until the death of his brother in 1907 when he became president of the company.

  The history of the T. M. Chapman & Sons Company is essentially the history of the Chapman family. Founded in 1851 by Thomas M. Chapman, the company employed only three men, and was engaged in the manufacture of a machine for filing. The business was located on Main Street, occupying one floor, and all the work was done by foot power. Gradually other wood-working machinery was added to the output. They have carried on this line of work since that time. In 1882 Thomas M. Chapman took his son, Fred M. Chapman, into the business as a partner, and the firm name was changed to T. M. Chapman & Son. Thomas M. Chapman died in 1888, and his son, Fred M. Chapman, carried on the business. In 1900, it was incorporated under the name of T. M. Chapman & Sons Co. The officers then were: Fred M. Chapman, president; Harry W. Chapman, treasurer; and Ralph W. Chapman, secretary. Upon the death of Fred M. Chapman, in 1907, Harry W. Chapman became president and Ralph W. Chapman was made treasurer. In 1924, F. Kennedy Chapman was made a member of the firm, holding the office of production engineer. At the present time the company is working on a machine for the manufacture of paper plates. They now employ some sixty men and are engaged, as well, in general machine repair and foundry work for other companies.

  The younger brother, Ralph W. Chapman, was born May 28, 1872, in Old Town, Maine. He received his education in the public and high schools of Old Town, later studying under a private tutor. Upon the completion of his studies, in 1890, he also became associated with the Tm. M. Chapman & Sons Company, learning the trade of machinist and draftsman. At the time of the incorporation of the business, in 1900, he became secretary, and later, in 1907, he became treasurer. In 1917 the firm began the manufacture of electrical equipment, particularly of the type used by physicians, the Morse Wave Generator, used in therapy, the Auditor, which is used for the deaf, and the G-X-Galvanic-Faradic Plate. Ralph W. Chapman is the inventor of many of the various machines now manufactured by the company. A member of the Republican party, he served for five terms as city electrician for Old Town. He is fraternally affiliated with the Royal Arcanum. Ralph W. Chapman married, in 1901, Nellie C. Dorr, who was born in Brewer, Maine.

  Harry W. Chapman married, in 1924, Sadie Fitzgerald, who was born in Dexter, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are the parents of one daughter, Geraldine F. Mr. Chapman and his family attend the Universalist church.

• Summer 2000 edition of the Old Town Museum newsletter (PDF).

  T. M. Chapman's Sons' Co.

  This company, originally established in 1851, was known throughout the U.S. and the maritime provinces for its excellent manufacturing equipment. Its specialty was saw-mill machinery where it held many patents. They also produced gas engines for stationary or marine use. In addition they also did foundry, mill work and general jobbing.

  By 1906, this company's name had been changed twice. In 1890 the name was changed to T. M. Chapman & Son and then in 1900 to T. M. Chapman's Sons' Co. with Fred Chapman as President, Ralph Chapman as Treasurer and Harry Chapman as Treasurer.

• Listed in Kenneth Cope's American Cooperage Machinery and Tools. Cope reproduces drawings of four different machines. Cope gives the company location as Buffalo, NY, but that seems to be an error as all other information we have gives the location as Oldtown, ME.
• Toolemera.com had a letter from "T. M. CHAPMAN & SON, Dr. / Manufacturers of New and Improved SAW FILING MACHINES / Machinery for dressing Barrel Staves and Headings, Gang, Lath, Picket and Stave Sawing Machines." A gang lath mill is illustrated. The From line was Oldtown, Me., and the example is dated May 2, 1888.
• Patent records provide the names of the men, and also confirm that they were always located in Oldtown (also known as Old Town), ME.