WI BIO - Dane Co - CHAPIN, Thomas P.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II , pp 548-549

Thomas P. CHAPIN was born in VT, as was his father and grandfather, Gideon 
CHAPIN, as far as known, and he by occupation was a blacksmith. He resided 
in VT until 1837, when he removed to WI, located at Janesville [Rock County], 
and later bought 320 acres of land near Janesville, where he engaged 
extensively in farming. The land was located two miles from Janesville, and 
upon that place he resided until his death.

Thomas P. CHAPIN learned the trade of blacksmith with his father, and came 
west to WI with him in 1837, establishing the first blacksmith shop in the 
village of Janesville, when there were at that time only two or three houses, 
no railroads coming for years. All communication with the place was via 
stage. Here he conducted business for eight years, and then sold his shop 
and bought 360 acres of Government land in the town of Union [Rock County], 
WI. Here he erected a substantial frame house, and for many years this was 
the only frame house for many miles around. Before the building of the 
railroad communication, our subject did his marketing in Milwaukee, drawing 
the grain with teams.

He has resided in the pleasant home which he has made in Union ever since, 
having erected a fine set of frame buildings, and made improvements, which 
will compare favorably with any in the county. He had put his farm of 360 
acres into a fine state of cultivation. He has been a Republican ever since 
the formation of the party, and is one of the most esteemed citizens of the 
town of Union. [p 549]

Thomas P. CHAPIN was married 04 Jul 1847 at Madison, Dane County, WI, to Miss 
Amanda ELLSWORTH, who was born in Canandaigua [Ontario County], NY. Her 
father, Jonathan ELLSWORTH, was born in NY, and was the son of Reuben 
ELLSWORTH. He spent his last years in Canandaigua. The maiden name of the 
wife of Jonathan ELLSWORTH was Amanda BABCOCK, who was born in VT, the 
daughter of Thomas BABCOCK. Amanda (BABCOCK) ELLSWORTH survived her husband 
many years, and came to WI in 1846, and settled in Oregon [Dane County, WI]. 
Thomas P. and Amanda (ELLSWORTH) CHAPIN are both living, and they reared 
eight children: Anna, Thomas S., Celia A., Juliet, Emma, Fred, James, and 
Lillian M.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly