AARON LUCIUS CHAPIN, D. D., LL. D. 
(.Late President of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters.) 
By J. J. Blaisdell. 
Aaron Lucius Chapin, first president of Beloit college, was 
born in Hartford, Connecticut, February 6th, 1817. He was 
a son of Laertes and Laura Colton Chapin. His ancestors, on 
the side of both father and mother, were citizens of Connecticut, 
and were persons of robust intelligence and character. He re¬ 
ceived his academic education in the Hartford Grammar school 
and at Yale college, graduating at the latter institution in 
1837. Among the members of his class were several gentlemen 
of national reputation, Rev. A. L. Stone, D. D. ; Hon. Jere¬ 
miah Evarts, Chief Justice Morrison, R. Waite and Professor 
Benjamin Silliman being of the number. During the year sub¬ 
sequent to his leaving college, he was engaged in teaching a 
family school in Baltimore, Md., and from 1838 to 1843 he was a 
professor in the New York institution for the deaf and dumb. 
He studied theology while there engaged, and received his diplo¬ 
ma at Union Theological Seminary in 1842. 
The western states were at this time opening new fields for 
enterprise, not only in pursuits of ordinary industry, but in the 
Christian ministry and in academical instruction. Mr. Chapin, 
under the appointment of the A.merican Home Missionary So¬ 
ciety, removed in 1844 to Milwaukee, where he became 
pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Here he re¬ 
mained six years. His pastorate in Milwaukee is spoken of as 
being one of great thoroughness and efficiency, and his friend¬ 
ship is affectionately cherished by not a few in that city, who 
were cognizant of his early ministry. 
In February of 1850, Dr. Chapin was called from Milwaukee 
To Beloit college as its first president, and was inaugurated to 
the duties of that office July 24th, of the same year. Rev. Jack- 
