Chipley, William D.

William D. Chipley was an officer in the 9th Kentucky Infantry Regiment, Confederate States of America. Chipley was, for a time, imprisoned at Johnson's Island Prison, Ohio.

From the guide to the William D. Chipley Book, ., 1864-1865, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)

Railroad baron.

One of the three great Florida railroad barons of his day: William D. Chipley in the Panhandle; Henry Plant on the Gulf; and Henry Flagler on the Atlantic, Chipley was the most important developer of the growth of West Florida in the 19th Century. Chipley bought up bankrupt railroads and improved the rolling stock, and developed a shipping system that gave farmers a market for their goods.

In 1874 he received a charter to construct the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad from Pensacola to Apalachicola with connections to northbound railroads in East Florida. He ran for Governor of Florida in 1882, but failed.

From the description of Papers, September 20, 1888. (University of Florida). WorldCat record id: 50042185