Chatham in Chatham-Kent, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

William Chrysler

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 17, 2026

1. William Chrysler Marker

Inscription. On this site, in the year 1820, a log house was erected by Chatham's first permanent resident, William Chrysler, great grandfather of Walter P. Chrysler, automobile pioneer and founder of the Chrysler Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 42° 24.305′ N, 82° 11.429′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Ontario, in Chatham-Kent. It is on King Street West west of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in front of the Kent Club. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 287 King Street West, Chatham ON N7M 1E9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ferguson Jenkins (within shouting distance of this marker); Ronald & Hyslop Steamer (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Carnegie Library (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Casualties of the Skirmish (approx. half a kilometer away); Skirmish at the Forks (approx. half a kilometer away); a different marker also named Skirmish at the Forks (approx. half a kilometer away); British Encampment: Forks of the Thames (approx. half a kilometer away); The Forks (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Regarding William Chrysler. Walter Chrysler's father, Henry Chrysler (William's grandson) was born in Chatham in 1850 and emigrated to the United States as a child. Walter Chrysler was born and raised in Kansas.

Also see . . .
1. William Chrysler. The Lost Texas Roads website looks at the life of Chatham native William Chrysler.

Excerpt: “William Chrysler was one of the most unique and interesting characters written about in 19th century Texas newspapers. It has been written that he was quite eccentric and very
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 17, 2026

2. William Chrysler Marker in front of Kent House
loquacious. When General U.S. Grant visited San Antonio, Mayor James H. French introduced Chrysler to the General. Chrysler was reported to comment, 'I expect I might have become as distinguished a character as you if I could have been able to keep my mouth shut.'”

(Submitted on July 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chrysler family, devastating floods part of Chatham history. A 2024 article from the Chatham Daily News.

Excerpt: "On this site, in 1820, William Chrysler became one on Chatham’s earliest permanent settlers. Quickly clearing rich, fertile riverside land, Chrysler soon was seeing record tobacco harvests and becoming a prosperous resident of the growing community of Chatham. But his record tobacco harvest was no comparison to the worldwide fame and eventual riches that awaited his great, great grandson, who would found the Chrysler Automotive Corp. William Chrysler, who settled on the Kent Club land, married local girl Martha Dolsen and they had a son, John Matthew Chrysler. His son, Henry Chrysler, had a son named Henry Chrysler Junior, whose son, Walter P. Chrysler, founded Chrysler Corp."

Walter Chrysler (1875-1940) image. Click for full size.

Photograph by Harris & Ewing, courtesy of U.S. Library of Congress, October 8, 1937

3. Walter Chrysler (1875-1940)

(Submitted on July 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.