Chester D. Hubbard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chester D. Hubbard
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 1st district
In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1869
Preceded by	Jacob B. Blair
Succeeded by	Isaac H. Duval
Member of the Virginia House of Representatives from the Ohio County district
In office January 12, 1852 – December 2, 1853 Serving with Charles W. Russell, John M. Oldham
Succeeded by	John C. Campbell
Personal details
Born	(1814-11-25)November 25, 1814 Hamden, Connecticut), US
Died	August 23, 1891(1891-08-23) (aged 76) Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia, US
Political party	Unconditional Unionist Republican
Spouse	Sarah Pallister
Children	William Pallister Hubbard, Dana List Hubbard, Chester Russell Hubbard, Julia Alice Hubbard Tyler, Anna Hubbard Brady (1852–1933)
Profession	banker, manufacturer, politician
Signature

Chester Dorman Hubbard (born November 25, 1814 – died August 23, 1891) was an important American politician. He served two terms as a U.S. Representative for West Virginia. Before that, he was part of the Virginia General Assembly. He also played a big role in creating the state of West Virginia during the American Civil War.

Early Life and Family

Chester Hubbard was born in Hamden, Connecticut. His family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1815 when he was a baby. Four years later, in 1819, they moved again to Wheeling, West Virginia. His father, Dana Hubbard, started the first lumber and grist mills there. A grist mill grinds grain into flour.

Chester went back east for college. He graduated at the top of his class from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut in 1840. While at Wesleyan, he helped start a student group called the Eclectic Society in 1838. This group is one of the oldest college organizations in the United States.

In 1842, Chester Hubbard married Sarah Pallister. They had five children together. One of their sons, William Pallister Hubbard, later became a lawyer and a congressman, just like his father. Chester was also an active member of the Chapline Street Methodist Church in Wheeling.

Career and Public Service

After college, Chester Hubbard returned to Ohio County. He worked in his father's lumber business until his father passed away in 1852. After that, Chester helped start the Bank of Wheeling. He was the bank's president until 1865. The bank then became the German Bank, and he remained its president until he died.

Chester also had other businesses. In 1859, he started C. D. Hubbard & Co., which made railroad iron. He also helped create the Wheeling Hinge Company and was a director there. Later, he became secretary of the Wheeling Iron and Nail Company. He was also involved with Logan & Co. and was president of the Logan Drug Company.

Entering Politics

In 1851, Chester Hubbard was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. This was part of the Virginia General Assembly. He represented Ohio County. In 1861, voters in Ohio County chose him as one of their delegates for the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861. At this convention, he spoke out against Virginia leaving the United States.

After Virginia decided to leave the Union, Hubbard became a key figure in forming West Virginia. He was a delegate at the Wheeling Convention in 1861. This convention led to the creation of the new state. He also helped write the West Virginia state constitution.

Serving West Virginia

Hubbard served in the West Virginia state senate from 1863 to 1864. His oldest son, William Pallister Hubbard, became a lawyer and served in the military during the Civil War. Chester Hubbard was a strong supporter of the Republican Party. He attended the Republican National Convention in 1864 and 1880.

In 1865, Hubbard was elected to the 39th United States Congress. He was part of the Unconditional Union Party, which supported keeping the country together. He was reelected as a Republican to the 40th United States Congress. He served in Congress from March 4, 1865, to March 3, 1869. While in Congress, he led a committee that looked at spending in the Department of the Interior.

After his time in Congress, he went back to his banking and manufacturing businesses. He also helped build the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad in 1873 and became its president in 1874.

Supporting Education

Chester Hubbard cared a lot about education. He was a trustee for the Linsly Institute, a school his son attended. He also helped start the Wheeling Female College. He served as a trustee and president of its board from 1865 until the college was sold.

Death and Legacy

Chester Hubbard passed away in Wheeling on August 23, 1891. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery. His son, William Pallister Hubbard, later followed in his footsteps and also served in the U.S. Congress starting in 1907. Chester Hubbard's letters are still important today for people studying American history and politics after the Civil War.

See also

• United States congressional delegations from West Virginia