Henry A. Chapin
Oct. 5, 1813-Dec. 17, 1898
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 17, 1898, reprinted Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 21, 1898, page 1, col 2,
H.A. CHAPIN ANSWERS
The summons of the "Death Angel" beckoning Him to Another World.
OUR WEALTHIEST CITIZEN
Surrendered all His Earthly Possessions, as His Soul Fled to Another World, Leaving His Mortal Remains to be Consigned to the Impartial Grave
Almost the hour of last midnight the "Death Angel" summoned the soul of H.A. Chapin to the great hereafter.
Our wealthiest citizen, to whom this world offered much surrended all his earthly possessions and his soul took flight to another world, leaving behind the mortal remains to be consigned to the impartial grave.
Sketch Of His Life.
Henry Austin Chapin, owner of the famous Chapin iron mine and a resident of our city, originated in Leyden, Franklin county, Mass., Oct 5 1813, son of Lorenzo and Maria Kent Chapin, farmers. The lineage of this gentleman goes back to Deacon Samuel Chapin, a settler in Springfield, Mass., in 1642. Owing to migration westward. Mr. Chapin learned to read, write and do other things of that sort in a country settled in Portage county, Ohio, and he set foot on the first round of the ladder of business life as a clerk in a general store in Akron, Ohio, climbing high enough to open a store of his own in Michigan. How high he subsequently ascended is denoted by the fact that to Mr. Chapin belongs the fee of the land on the upper peninsula of Michigan upon which the Chapin iron mine is now operating. A royalty is paid for every ton of ore taken out, and, it is said, Mr. Chapin's revenue from that source has sometimes amounted to between $100,000 an $300,000 a year. The principle ownership of the paper mills on the east side of the river in this city and the electric lighting plant in South Bend are included among his holdings now, as well as real estate in Chicago and shares in various corporations not named.
Mr. Chapin first settled in Edwardsburg in 1836 and came to Niles in the spring of '46. He engaged in the business of buying produce and wool in frame building situated where Rudolf Wohlrah's business is now located, taking in S.S. Griffin as a business partner. Later he bought his partner's interest and moved his business now occupied by Snyder. Later in 1860 Mr. Chapin again transferred his quarters and was the first owner to occupy the Mirror building where Lowry is now situated. About the commencement of the civil war Mr. Chapin met with the tide of adversity which bore him under and he failed as did many others in war times. Later on he bought wood and produce on the streets and in 1870 he and his son, Charles A., engaged in the insurance business which they followed until 1880. Mr. Chapan's business career was checkered and he experienced not a little of the seamy side of life. At the time that the rich deposit of ore was discovered on Mr. Chapin's property, he had succeeded in satisfying the demands of his creditors. In 1865, he bought the fee to what is now known as the Chapin mine at Iron Mountain, Mich. In 1880 the mine was developed and it proved to contain the largest deposits of iron ore then discovered in the United States, was worked successful and through its operation he had amassed a very large fortune. A small city has sprung up about the mine, which gives employment for the majority of its people.
In 1836 he was married in Mattaway, Portage county, Ohio, and he and Mrs. Chapin had lived together 62 years last April. To them were born four children as follows: Sarah M.,
Carrie E., Charles A., and Henry H. Sarah, who married a Mr. Banfield, died at her home in Dowagiac at the age of 21 years. Carrie E. married a Mr. Bracken of Port Huron, and died at her home in the latter city at the age of 31 years. Henry E., the youngest child died at the tender age of two years and 11 months and Charles A. the youngest of the children but one, alone survived his parents. Mrs. Chapin also lives to mourn her companion of over three score years.
He was a member of the Masonic order, and once a Whig and later a Republican, and a man with a wide circle of friends.
Funeral Announcement.
The funeral service will be conducted at the late residence by Rev. J. G. Lowrie, pastor of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. Chapin belonged, at 2:30 Monday afternoon.
At the conclusion of the service the Masonic funeral will be conducted under the auspices of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, F. and A.M. The remains will be interred in Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 21, 1898, page 1, col 2-3,
Appears as above but substitutes portion headed "Funeral Announcement" as follows:
THE FUNERAL
The sad funeral bells will ring out no more for H.A. Chapin. His mortal remains, today were tenderly and reverentially consigned to the grave in Silver Brook cemetery--the silent city so rightly adorned by nature, so grand in its almost perrenial solitude.
Rev. J.G. Lowrie impressively performed the funeral service at the late residence at 2:30 p.m.
The remains of Mr. Chapin reposed in an elaborate oaken casket, handsomely trimmed and almost hidden from view by a profusion of flowers of varied hues. The Mason's blue emblem, the square and compass was simple; yet indicated taste and elegance combined.
The ceremony at the house was interspersed with vocal melody, furnished by Mrs. Wm. B. Bunbury, Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton and J.D. Donmall, with Mrs. Chas. Harter, accompaniest. Among the selections rendered so prettily were these: "Asleep in Jesus," "The Shining Shore," and "Evening."
The pallbearers, chosen from among the Masons by the Chapin family, were as follows: Dr. F.N. Bonine, W.J. Edwards, Jno. Woodruff, W.K Lacey, E.F. Woodcock and Jas. Harder.
The funeral cortege pensively wound its way to Silver Brook cemetery where the Masonic ritual was performed by Dr. W.T. Dougan, after which the remains were left to the repose of the grave.
Aside from the family and grandchildren of the deceased, the following relatives from out of the city were here to pay their respects to his memory: Mrs. Frank Griffin, Bourbon, Ind.; Messrs. Anderson and Dushayn and M.P. Chapin and daughter, of South Bend.
The large concourse of Niles people that followed the remains of Mr. Chapin to their last resting place, testified abundantly to the eminent esteem in which the deceased was held by the people generally.
Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 21, 1898, page 8, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Elsewhere in this issue the death of Henry Austin Chapin is noted. Mr. Chapin was well-known throughout the country, his name having become famous as owner of the Chapin mines in Northern Michigan. He was a companionable citizen, always cordial to his friends in prosperity as well as in adversity. Not a few have been aided by his generosity, and in an unassuming way he has been liberal to many in want of the necessaries of life, and other creditable acts can be traced to his motto of life. He furnished one-third of the entire cost of the Presbyterian church organ, and aided this church in various other ways. General regret is manifest, and sorrow profound is expressed by the entire community.
The Buchanan Record, Thursday, December 22, 1898, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
HENRY C. CHAPIN DEAD
The death of Henry A. Chapin of Niles, which has been expected for a week or more, occurred last Friday night 11:45 o'clock. He relapsed into unconsciousness in the afternoon from which he never recovered. The end was peaceful and quiet.
The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock under Masonic auspices, at the house. Rev. J.G. Lowrie, officiating. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.