MARSHALL CHAPIN M.D. was born in Bernardstown, Massachusetts, February 27, 1798, and was the son of Caleb and Mary Chapin, who had nine children. His ancestors lived in and about Springfield and the Connecticut River Valley for over 200 years. His father was a physician, but owned and operated a farm. The family removed to Caledonia, New York, and after having attended the usual schools of that day Mr. Chapin took a medical course at Geneva. He subsequently studied with his uncle, Dr. Cyrcenius Chapin of Buffalo, New York, and graduated at the age of twenty-one. In 1819 he established, with the help of his uncle, the first drug store in Detroit. Very soon after coming to the city he became prominent in public life. He served as Alderman at large in 1826 and 1827, and as Mayor of Detroit in 1831 and 1833 and as Chief Engineer of the Fire Department in 1832. In 1832, during the first visitation of the cholera, he was appointed City Physician and won golden opinions from all classes by his faithfulness and devotion ; and two years later, when the scourge again appeared, he was equally active and efficient. In addition to his professional labors he gave close attention to his drug store, and under the firm names of J. Owen & Co., T. & J. Hinchman, and T. H. Hinchman & Sons, the business has been continuously maintained; but for more than two score of years has been exclusively a wholesale establishment. As a physician Mr. Chapin was greatly beloved, and he invariably refused all compensation for his Services from those not readily able to pay. He was married in 1823 to Mary Crosby. They had four children. Their names were: Louise Chapin who married Theodore H. Hinchman; Helen Mary Chapin who married Norton Strong; Charles Chapin, who died when twelve years old; and Marshall Chapin, now dead, who served as a Colonel in the Union army. Dr. Chapin died December 26, 1838. Source: History of Detroit and Wayne County and Early Michigan By Silas Farmer 1890 Marshall W. Chapin son of Marshall and Mary (Crosby) Chapin Civil War 23rd Michigan Inf. Colonel