An outspoken and fearless advocate, he was often in controversy, and on account of his aggressive and combative disposition, came to be called "Old Grizzly".
Chapin was a strong character, prominent as a pioneer, alert in business, a vigorous, out-spoken, independent editor, welcoming and standing by whatever promised to benefit his state, county or city.
[1] In December, 1849, aware of the California Gold Rush, he started for California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and on account of difficulties with the officers of the ship on the Pacific Ocean side, helped to take possession of it, and after several months of voyaging, arrived at San Francisco.
For some four years, he was engaged in mining and other pursuits in California, returning by way of Nicaragua, shipping for New York City at Greytown, in 1854.
In 1855, he bought The Iowa Central Journal, then located at Lafayette, (later Albion), Marshall County, of Messrs. Wilson, Dunn and Tripp.
During the year 1857, Chapin settled in Marshalltown, Iowa and started The Marshall County News, which was subsequently destroyed by fire.
[1] In the development of the railroad system of Iowa, he bore a leading part, and when improvements were under consideration in Marshalltown, or in the county, he took the progressive side.