Charles A. Chapin
Feb. 1845-Oct. 22, 1913
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, Oct. 23, 1913, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
DEMISE OF C.A. CHAPIN
Funeral Services to be Held
at Old Niles Homestead.
WAS A MODEST MAN
Principal Owner of Electric Plants
Along the St. Joseph River,
Also With Other Large
Interests.
Charles Augustus Chapin was born in February, 1845, at Edwardsburg, Cass county, and came to Niles with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Chapin, a year later. Chas. A. Chapin graduated from the Niles High school and later engaged wtih his father in the real estate and insurance business.
Immense iron industries developed in the northern peninsula of Michigan when the Chapins became fortunate investors, which reaped to them many thousands of dollars. The father died in 1898, and the mother about six years later. C.A. Chapin and family moved to Chicago in 1898, where they have since resided. Unto them was born seven children. Besides the widow the following sons and daughters survive, all of whom are residing in Chicago: Homer, Henry, Lowell and Charles, Jr. also, Mrs. Lucile Robertson, Mrs. Helen Bishop and Miss Ruby Chapin.
C.A. Chapin died last night at 9 o'clock at his home, 61 east Goethe street, Chicago. He had made two trips to Europe for his health. Returning last July he went to his summer house at Harbor Springs, Mich., where he was suddenly stricken with organic heart disease. Taken to his home in Chicago in a special train, he lived just two months longer.
The deceased was a multimillionaire, thought to be worth $15,000,000. He was principal owner of the several electric plants along the St. Joseph river at Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Niles, South Bend, Hen Island and Elkhart. He owned considerable real estate in Chicago, inclucing the Unity office building. He was president of the Michigan and Indiana Power company with headquarters at 38 south Dearborn street, Chicago. In Chicago he was a member of the Union League, the Glen View and Chicago Yacht club.
In Niles he owned the old Chapin homestead at Main and south Fifth Streets, one of the most beautiful mansions in the city; also the Niles Board and Paper mill, located at the river dam; the building at Main and south Second streets and other belongings.
Mr. Chapin was a modest man, unassuming, strictly honest, possessing native wit. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Chapin is a sister of Mrs. O.W. Coolidge of this city.
FUNERAL
Prayer will be said at the home in Chicago at 11 o'clock a.m. Saturday morning, when the body will be conveyed to Niles, arriving here at 3:40 p.m., and funeral services will be held later at the Chapin Mansion, 510 Main street, conducted by Rev. W.R. Yonker. The pallbearers will consister of the children of the deceased. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery. Members of the family and many Chicago friends will be present.
The Acorn (Three Oaks, Michigan), Thursday, October 30, 1913, page 12, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Chas. A. Chapin, several times over a millionaire and president of the power company owning dams along the St. Joseph river from Elkhart to Berrien Springs, is dead. He died Wednesday at his home in Chicago of organic heart trouble. He was 68 years old.
Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, October 23, 1913, page 1
CHARLES A.CHAPIN DIED LAST NIGHT IN CHICAGO
Former Niles man of vast wealth succumbs to long illness.
LONG IN POOR HEALTH
Rise to wealth came while he and his father were in business here.
News of the death of Charles A. Chapin, which occurred at his home in Chicago about 9 o'clock last night, was received in Niles this morning.
CHARLES A.CHAPIN was born in Edwardsburg, Cass County, in February 1845, and came when he was an infant with his parents, Henry A. Chapin and Ruby N. Chapin to this city in 1846. He received his education in the city schools and graduated in the class of 1865. After his graduation he entered into partnership with his father in the real estate and insurance business.
In 1874 he married Emily M. Coolidge who survives. Eight children were born to this marriage, of whom the following are living, Homer, Mrs. Lucille Robertson, Mrs. Helen Bishop, Henry, Ruby, Lowell and Charles Chapin. In 1898 Mr. Chapin removed with his family has resided.
For some years previous to his death, Mr. Chapin had suffered from an organic disease of the heart.
Last spring he went with his wife and daughter, Ruby, to Germany where he received treatment from a skilled specialist. On his return from Europe his health appeared to be improved and he and his wife went to their summer home at Harbor Point, Michigan, In August he had a severe attack and a Chicago specialist was summoned by special train. Later he was
removed to his home in Chicago.
His father, Henry A. Chapin died in 1898 in his 87th year, and his mother died a few years later.
The management of the large Chapin estate devolved solely upon Mr. Chapin after his father's decease and for some time prior. About 1879 he and his father began the development of mining lands in the upper peninsula, which became very remunerative, leading to the accumulation of a considerable fortune.
Mr. Chapin for about thirty years had a beautiful summer home at Harbor Point, where his family spent a couple of months each year. Mr. Chapin was fond of outdoor sports and found recreation and health in this way at his summer home.
Mr. Chapin was the principal owner of electrical power plants on the St. Joseph river in southern Michigan and northern Indiana at Elkhart, Hen Island, South Bend, Buchanan, and
Berrien Springs, also Niles, managed by Mr. A.F. Bither, and also had a large real estate buildings in Chicago.
The fine home in which his parents lived had been kept in order since their death by Mr. Chapin and family. Reunions have often been held in it.
Mr. Chapin was a man of the strictest integrity and his word was as good as his bond. His personal character was beyound reproach.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a liberal contributor to the support of the church of this city.
He was modest, unassuming and plain in his manners, easy of access and approachable by all. The possessions of wealth did not lessen these traits of character.
He possessed native wit and in converse with friends his happy repartee and added to the pleasure of social converse.
He lived here for over fifty years, his children were all born here, and as he was identified with important business interest in this city, we may regard his death as skin to the loss of
one of our own citizens.
In his death, is the passing of a one who for many years was a prominent figure in our community and one who was esteemed by all who knew him as a man of sterling worth and noble qualities.
The remains were brought to Niles and the funeral will be held at the Chapin home at 3:45 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Rev. W.R. Yonkers of the Presbyterian church will conduct the services and interment will occur in the family lot at Silver Brook cemetery
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, October 25, 1913, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The body of Chas. A. Chapin arrived in Niles this afternoon from Chicago by special train at 3:40 o'clock. at the Chapin house, 510 Main street, Rev. Yonker conducted services, reading a special scripture selection by request of the family. The pallbearers were Henry, Lowell and Chas. Chapin, Jr., sons of the deceased; two sons-in-law, Messrs. Bishop and Robertson, and a nephew, Clarence Coolidge. A large concourse of friends attended. Interment was at Silver Brook cemetery.