Fresno County Biographies

J. E. CHAPIN

Submitted by Kathy Sedler

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a rancher and stock-raiser of North Fork, was born in Wayne County, New York, in 
1834.  His father had followed farming, but in 1844 moved to Lenawee County, 
Michigan, and later to Grand Rapids, where he followed a general business life.  
At the age of nineteen years young, Chapin began his business career in the 
general merchandise store of his father, and after four years of close 
apprenticeship, in 1857, he began the same business, which he continued until 
1865. He then sold out, went to Chicago, and was engaged there in business two 
years.  In 1867 he returned to Grand Rapids and engaged in the lumber business, 
which he followed for many years, spending part of his time in New York city, 
where he established an agency to better dispose of his product.  In 1879 Mr. 
Chapin went to Leadville, Colorado, and engaged in mining, operating and 
speculating in silver mines, in which he still owns interests.  In 1882 he came 
to Fresno County, and after one year spent in prospecting at Fine Gold he 
settled down to mercantile life at Madera, and continued in business until 1887, 
when he again went to the mountains.  He now owns 640 acres at North Fork, which 
is mostly timber land, and also owns and operates a sawmill, shipping his lumber 
to Fresno.  His ranch is at an elevation of 3,600 feet, well adapted to the 
growth of apples and the fruits of the colder climates.  The winters are quite 
cold, but the summer climate is delightful, and canon scenery is unsurpassed.  
Mr. Chapin has fifteen acres in apples, and also keeps some horses, having a 
fine Cleveland bay stallion.
            He was married at Geneva, Wisconsin, in 1862, to Miss Cornelia 
Robinson, a native of New York.
 
Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California
Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892  p 480