purchases, even as he raised money to buy more parcels of the park. In 1927, the legislatures of North Carolina and Tennessee appropriated US$2 million (US$ at 2008 prices.) each while other donations came from individuals, groups, and school children who gave their pennies. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was even persuaded by Chapman and National Park Service Assistant Director Arno Cammerer to donate US$5 million (US$ at 2008 prices.) to ensure the park's success. Two years later, the State of Tennessee created the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountain National Park Commission in order to purchase land for the proposed park. This land was then turned over to the United States federal government for use as a national park. Chapman was appointed the first commissioner, serving until 1932, but was retained as a member when a new commission was appointed later that year. Chapman and the temporary commissioner, George Roby Dempster, once engaged in a fist fight over an audit that charged US$11067 (US$ at 2008 prices.) had been spent by the new commission in the last quarter of 1932 to purchase only . Tennessee Governor Hill McAlister abolished the Park Commission and transferred its responsibilities to the Tennessee Park and Forestry Commission after the Tennessee Senate approved in April 1933. The park was officially established on June 15, 1934. President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt officially dedicated the park on September 2, 1940 with Chapman, the "Father of the Park", in attendance. Personal life Chapman was married twice, first to the former Augusta McKeldin, and later to the former Sue Johnston following Augusta's death. He died in 1944 of congestive heart failure in Knoxville and is buried at Highland Memorial Cemetery. Legacy Mount Chapman, a peak in the park is named in his honor. A stretch of US 441 in South Knoxville is also named in Chapman's honor as Chapman Highway. References External links Portrait of Chapman, 1897 – Knaffl and Brother photograph on file at the McClung Digital Collection 1876 births 1944 deaths American military personnel of the Spanish–American War American military personnel of World War I People from Knoxville, Tennessee National Guard (United States) colonels Tennessee Volunteers football players Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tennessee National Guard personnel