 William Chapman was born in Clarksburg , Virginia , ( now West Virginia ) on August 11 , 1808 . His father died when William was fourteen , at which time he left home to earn his own way . He was educated in the public schools , and then took a job as a court clerk , while studying law on his own time . In 1832 , after reading law , he earned his law license and began practice in Middletown . 
