Throughout a residence of fifty years in Bremer county, Lyman Chapin firmly entrenched himself in the regard and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, while his industry, ability and success gained him a high place among the valued residents of the community. He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, April 29, 1834, but removed to Wisconsin with his parents when he was still a child. In that state his boyhood days were passed and there he became familiar with the details of farm operation by practical experience upon his father's property. In 1858 he journeyed on foot to Bremer county and upon his arrival entered from the government one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14, Fremont township, selling a yoke of oxen in order to get the money to pay for the property. He made the return journey also on foot and afterward remained in Wisconsin until 1860, when he came again to Bremer county, settling upon his land. He was accompanied by his brother Jacob and they hauled a threshing outfit which they operated for many years thereafter. Lyman Chapin continued to reside upon his farm until 1892, adding first forty and then eighty acres to his holdings. He carried forward the work of improving and developing his place along practical and modern lines and he met with a gratifying measure of success, finally winning a comfortable competence, upon which he retired from active life, making his home in Waverly until his death.
In Wisconsin Mr. Chapin married Miss Orpha E. Gleason, who was born in New York, February 20, 1837, and who died in Waverly May 5, 1913. Seven children were born to their union: Anna Belle, who died at the age of seventeen; Alliee Lorette, the wife of W.G. Hallett, of Forest City, Iowa; Arthur D. and W. D., of Fremont township; Orpha E., the wife of C.B. Hannah, of Fresno, California; Mabel A., who married H.G. Schell, of Waverly, Iowa; and Lyman L., who died in infancy.
Mr. Chapin served in the Civil war as a member of Company B, Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was at the front for one year. He was one of the organizers and the first president of the local creamery, serving in that position for many years. He was interested in everything that pertained to the welfare and development of the locality and active in everything that had for its object general advancement and growth. Although he did not seek to figure prominently before the public, he became widely known in the township as an exemplary citizen, a devoted husband and father and an honorable and trustworthy business man.
[History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914]
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