Chester William Chapin (December 16, 1798 – June 10, 1883) was an American businessman, president of the Boston and Albany Railroad from 1868 to 1878, and U.S.

The family moved to Chicopee and in 1806 his father died, leaving Chester and his brothers to work their farm.

Chapin quickly went into business for himself, opening a store, and in 1822 was appointed town tax collector, for which he received $80.

In 1831, when steamboats began to run on the river between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts, he bought an interest, soon became sole proprietor, and for about 15 years controlled all the passenger traffic on that route.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress