Absalom Harris CHAPPELL, Congress, GA (1801-1878)

CHAPPELL, Absalom Harris, (cousin of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar), a Representative from Georgia; born at Mount Zion, Hancock County, Ga., December 18, 1801; attended the local academy at Mount Zion, and was graduated from the law department of the University of Georgia at Athens in 1821; was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Sandersville, Washington County, Ga.; moved to Forsyth, Ga., in 1824 and practiced; member of the State senate in 1832 and 1833; served in the State house of representatives 1834-1839; moved to Macon, Ga., in 1836 and continued the practice of law; delegate to the Knoxville convention in 1836; promoter of the Monroe Railroad; appointed on the board of commissioners to arrange a State finance system in 1839; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-eighth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative-elect John B. Lamar and served from October 2, 1843, to March 3, 1845; was not a candidate for renomination in 1844 to the Twenty-ninth Congress; member of the State senate in 1845, serving as president; resumed the practice of law; moved to Columbus, Ga., in 1857 and continued the practice of law; also engaged in literary pursuits; affiliated with the Democratic Party; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1865 and again in 1877; also a delegate to the Conservative convention at Macon in 1867; died in Columbus, Muscogee County, Ga., December 11, 1878; interment in Linwood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present