Harris Chapin (1854-1920)

Harris Chapin is the youngest known son of Dennis and Lucinda Chapin, and was born on January 14, 1854. He appears to have married Elizabeth Smith, who may have preferred to go by Lizzie, on March 11, 1880. They had a total of six children: William, Alvin, Ada, Dollie, Harry, and Margaret. His letters tend to reveal that times were tough for his large family. Money was not in ample supply, but they always ended up making ends meet somehow.

One of his letters mentions a rather booming coal business; since that particular letter is not dated to any particular year, it is hard to tell if Harris and his family became better off or if the mining business collapsed under them. The letters do not provide the necessary information to confirm the outcome of the situation either way.

Harris passed away on December 27, 1920 and was survived by his wife, Lizzie.