Birthday Party for Mrs. Julia Mills Chapman

Mrs. Julia Mills Chapman was born to William and Anna Elizabeth Marshall Mills on February 25, 1852 in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Nine of Julia’s friends held a surprise birthday party for her -- the date is unknown, but probably in the late nineteenth century.

Standing left to right are: Mrs. Mattie Barrow, Mrs. Frank Davis, Mrs. Kate Jenkins, Mrs. Libbie Butler, Mrs. Lib Livingston, and Mrs. Jennie Gurney. Seated left to right are: Mrs. Alice Mack, Mrs. Julia Chapman, Mrs. Jennie Hubbard, and Mrs. Emma Sadler.

Julia’s father William Mills was known as “The Yellow Springs Man,” because he was determined to bring national recognition to Yellow Springs. He helped to convince the sponsors of Antioch College to locate the college in Yellow Springs. He served on the Board of Trustees of Antioch College for many years. (He was a grandnephew of Isaac Mills, one of the original proprietors of Sandusky.)

In 1845, Julia Mills married William E. Chapman, son of Sandusky business man William P. Chapman and Eliza Pendleton Chapman. William E. Chapman eventually moved the family to Cleveland, Ohio where he was involved in the shipping business. William and Julia had three children: Winifred, Margaret, and Mills Chapman. Mrs. Julia Mills Chapman died on February 5, 1917. She was buried in Oakland Cemetery. One of Julia’s friends, Mrs. Jennie Hubbard, lived to be 103 years of age.