Sent back east for higher education, Chester Hubbard graduated first in his class from the Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut in 1840.

While at Wesleyan, Hubbard helped found the Eclectic Society, in 1838, making it one of older fraternal college organizations in the United States.

[2] On September 20, 1842, Chester Hubbard married English-born Sarah Pallister, step-daughter of the late John List.

An active member of Wheeling's Chapline Street Methodist Church, in 1872 Hubbard served as a delegate to the General Convention, held that year in Brooklyn, New York.

He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Interior (Fortieth Congress), but was defeated in the primary in 1868, and so resumed his banking and manufacturing pursuits.

[4] An earnest friend of education, Hubbard was a trustee of the Linsly Institute (which his son attended) in 1848, and became its treasurer in 1873.

He also helped found the Wheeling Female College, and served as a trustee, and as President of the Board from 1865 up to the sale of the property.