History of Freeport Securities Company

Security Trust Company of Freeport was officially incorporated in Freeport, Illinois on February 18, 1915, with twelve charter members, including Clarence W. Chapman, who was appointed Secretary of the newly formed venture.  The initial business plan for this company was to buy mortgages on farm property from banks, as well as offer investment opportunities to individual investors.

In November 1921, four of the initial members of Security Trust Company, as well as other individuals, formed a syndicate to purchase properties in which Security Trust Company had an interest at their foreclosure sales.  C.W. Chapman was designated be the trustee of the new syndicate. 

In February, 1922, the Syndicate left its original Freeport location in the Tarbox building, and moved to its principal business office 201 West Stephenson in Freeport. 

On April 15, 1932, the name of the Company was changed from Security Trust Company to the Freeport Securities Company. 

In addition to the name change, Freeport Securities Company was given the additional power to invest in real estate and engage in all types of business associated with real estate, including managing mineral rights. 

While the Company sold off the surface properties it invested in, it maintained the underlying mineral rights to the properties, thus creating the path forward for the Company’s business model.

Over the next 50 years, C.W. Chapman served as the President of Freeport Securities, and continued to expand the business by both acquiring and managing mineral rights in the continental United States.

In addition to Freeport Securities, C.W. Chapman was active in the Freeport business community.  He was one of the organizers of the Freeport Insurance Co., where he served as director and vice president. In civic affairs, he was one of the first members of the Freeport Rotary Club, as well as a director and trustee of  Freeport’s YMCA & YWCA.

A World War I veteran, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Excelsior Masonic Lodge, Freeport Consistory, Freeport Commandery, Tebala Shrine of Rockford, and the Elks Club of Freeport.

C.W. Chapman served as the President of Freeport Securities until his death at age 92 in 1980.

On February 18, 2015, Freeport Securities Company celebrated its centennial anniversary.  The Company continues to maintain its presence in Freeport and both manage and lease mineral rights throughout the US.

                                         Freeport Securities Company     I      PO Box 56       I    Freeport, IL 61032