History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

SAGINAW CITY.

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settled in Independence, Oakland Co., Mich., where they still reside. In 1862 William came to Saginaw and worked as engineer
in the Chicago Salt and Lumber Co., for four years; for Rust, Eaton
& Co. till 1871, and since for Eaton, Potter & Co., as foreman or
superintendent. He was married July 4, 1858, to Lucinda Meeker.
They have 2 children-Nellie and Kate.
A. B. Cghapin, of the firm of Dolsen, Chapin & Co., was born
in Marietta, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1840, where he was brought up and
educated. He enlisted in the U. S. service in 1861, in Co. L, 1st
Ohio Cavalry. While in the army he was made Lieutenant of Gen.
Thomas' escort. He came to Saginaw in 1865, and in 1866 married Miss Electa Barber, by whom he l as 2 children-Nellie and
Julia. When he first arrived in Saginaw he became identified
with Mr. Barber in East Saginaw, under the firm name of Chapin,
Barber & Co., who afterward removed their business to Salina.
The manufactory of the present firm is in Bay City. It was
erected in 1870, by Dolsen & Walker, Mr. Chapin not having
bought into the company until in 1873. The steam power is furnished by five large boilers, and transmitted to the machinery
through eight engines. This firm employs 80 men, and manufactures
annually 23,000,000 feet of lumber, and 60,000 barrels of salt.
The first salt well was bored in 1863, bythe same firm that erected
the mill. They now have six wells in active operation.
Oscar D. Chapin (deceased) was born in Medina Co., Ohio,
Sept. 26, 1826, and was a son of Seymour Chapin. He lived on
his father's farm until 10 years of age, when his mother died. He
then went to Marietta, Ohio, and resided with his brother, Harlow
Chapin, receiving an education in the Marietta schools. In 1864
he came to Saginaw and engaged in lumbering with A. G. Vanway for a short time, when he formed a co-partnership with his
nephew, A. B. Chapin, and L. A. Barber, in the same business.
Their mill burned Oct. 8, 1871; he then went to Bay City and
formed a partnership with Mr. Barber of that place. He was married in August, 1849, to Miss Eliza Barber, daughter of David
Barber, and a sister of Levi A. Barber, of Bay City. Mrs. Chapin
was born in Meigs Co., Ohio. This union was blessed with 8
children, of whom 4 are living, viz.: Charles B., Florence M.
(Greenwood), David S. and Kate. Mr. Chapin died Oct. 24, 1879,
loved and respected by all. He was an energetic business man,
upright in his dealings, and a man of high social qualities.
F. G. Clifton, chief engineer of Saginaw City waterworks, was
born in England, Dec. 23, 1842, and came to America with his
parents when but a small child. He was reared to manhood at
Lockport, N. Y., where he served his apprenticeslip in the machine
shops. In 1860 he entered the Holly works, and remained with
them until the war. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 129th Reg. N.
Y. Vol. Inf., and was afterward trantferred to the 8th Reg. N. Y.
Heavy Artillery. On June 3, 1864, at the battle of Cold Harbor, he
was taken prisoner, and was confined four months in Andersonville