Chester W. Chapin

Chester William Chapin (December 16, 1798 – June 10, 1883) was an American businessman, president of the Boston and Albany Railroad from 1868 to 1878, and U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts. He was a multimillionaire at his death in 1883, and controlled one of New England’s most important rail lines. Early days Chester W. Chapin was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts, to Ephriam and Mary Smith Chapin, the youngest of seven children, and six generations removed from Puritan forebearer, Deacon Samuel Chapin. The family moved to Chicopee and in 1806 his father died, leaving Chester and his brothers to work their farm. He attended common schools and Westfield Academy, Westfield, Massachusetts. One of his first paying jobs was when local cotton mills were being built, when he earned $1.50 a day. Career Chapin quickly went into business for himself, opening a store, and in 1822 was appointed town tax collector, for which he received $80.