An interesting brilliant and influential figure in Colorado history and Chinese American history. Immigrating to the US in 1859 from Canton, China when he was only 22 years old. He was also called Willie Chin.
Unlike most immigrant Chinese at the time who still wore the clothes of their China heritage, Chin wore western style clothing and spoke excellent English enableing him to become a leader of his people in an English speaking culture, and the old pioneer west. He must of been an impressive and formidable man too as he stood 6' 2". Tall even by todays standards! Chin founded six companies including Chinese Trade, Supply and Chinese Insurance. He was a foreman on the First Trancontinental Railroad of Chinese workers many of which he recruited and asisted them in immigrating to the US. This was no small feat as Colorado alone had 25,000 railroad workers in 1869 when the Railroad was completed. The workers were then not so popular then and the US government made it harder for them by passing legislation in 1883 denying entrance of Chinese workers into the country for 10 years, and extended after that indefinitly. It also denied Chinese males from bringing their wives to the US and citizenship to the Chinese already here! This was not repealed until 1943! Chin had played a vital role in construction of the railroad using his leadership and communication skills with the American leaders and Chinese workers. He also dabbled successfully in mining investments in Central City, Co. All this earned him a fortune. In the 1870's he brought his family over from China. Also in 1870 he was refered to as Mayor of Denver's China Town or "Hop Alley" as it was called. While he was in Blackhawk, Colorado he was the unofficial leader of 300 Chinese immigrants. Their community was called Cottenwood. Later in life when his daughter engaged to be married she imported a dress for $1000. It had $5 gold piece buttons and she was latter refered to as "Queen of Chinatown".
Unlike most immigrant Chinese at the time who still wore the clothes of their China heritage, Chin wore western style clothing and spoke excellent English enableing him to become a leader of his people in an English speaking culture, and the old pioneer west. He must of been an impressive and formidable man too as he stood 6' 2". Tall even by todays standards! Chin founded six companies including Chinese Trade, Supply and Chinese Insurance. He was a foreman on the First Trancontinental Railroad of Chinese workers many of which he recruited and asisted them in immigrating to the US. This was no small feat as Colorado alone had 25,000 railroad workers in 1869 when the Railroad was completed. The workers were then not so popular then and the US government made it harder for them by passing legislation in 1883 denying entrance of Chinese workers into the country for 10 years, and extended after that indefinitly. It also denied Chinese males from bringing their wives to the US and citizenship to the Chinese already here! This was not repealed until 1943! Chin had played a vital role in construction of the railroad using his leadership and communication skills with the American leaders and Chinese workers. He also dabbled successfully in mining investments in Central City, Co. All this earned him a fortune. In the 1870's he brought his family over from China. Also in 1870 he was refered to as Mayor of Denver's China Town or "Hop Alley" as it was called. While he was in Blackhawk, Colorado he was the unofficial leader of 300 Chinese immigrants. Their community was called Cottenwood. Later in life when his daughter engaged to be married she imported a dress for $1000. It had $5 gold piece buttons and she was latter refered to as "Queen of Chinatown".
An interesting brilliant and influential figure in Colorado history and Chinese American history. Immigrating to the US in 1859 from Canton, China when he was only 22 years old. He was also called Willie Chin.
Unlike most immigrant Chinese at the time who still wore the clothes of their China heritage, Chin wore western style clothing and spoke excellent English enableing him to become a leader of his people in an English speaking culture, and the old pioneer west. He must of been an impressive and formidable man too as he stood 6' 2". Tall even by todays standards! Chin founded six companies including Chinese Trade, Supply and Chinese Insurance. He was a foreman on the First Trancontinental Railroad of Chinese workers many of which he recruited and asisted them in immigrating to the US. This was no small feat as Colorado alone had 25,000 railroad workers in 1869 when the Railroad was completed. The workers were then not so popular then and the US government made it harder for them by passing legislation in 1883 denying entrance of Chinese workers into the country for 10 years, and extended after that indefinitly. It also denied Chinese males from bringing their wives to the US and citizenship to the Chinese already here! This was not repealed until 1943! Chin had played a vital role in construction of the railroad using his leadership and communication skills with the American leaders and Chinese workers. He also dabbled successfully in mining investments in Central City, Co. All this earned him a fortune. In the 1870's he brought his family over from China. Also in 1870 he was refered to as Mayor of Denver's China Town or "Hop Alley" as it was called. While he was in Blackhawk, Colorado he was the unofficial leader of 300 Chinese immigrants. Their community was called Cottenwood. Later in life when his daughter engaged to be married she imported a dress for $1000. It had $5 gold piece buttons and she was latter refered to as "Queen of Chinatown".
Unlike most immigrant Chinese at the time who still wore the clothes of their China heritage, Chin wore western style clothing and spoke excellent English enableing him to become a leader of his people in an English speaking culture, and the old pioneer west. He must of been an impressive and formidable man too as he stood 6' 2". Tall even by todays standards! Chin founded six companies including Chinese Trade, Supply and Chinese Insurance. He was a foreman on the First Trancontinental Railroad of Chinese workers many of which he recruited and asisted them in immigrating to the US. This was no small feat as Colorado alone had 25,000 railroad workers in 1869 when the Railroad was completed. The workers were then not so popular then and the US government made it harder for them by passing legislation in 1883 denying entrance of Chinese workers into the country for 10 years, and extended after that indefinitly. It also denied Chinese males from bringing their wives to the US and citizenship to the Chinese already here! This was not repealed until 1943! Chin had played a vital role in construction of the railroad using his leadership and communication skills with the American leaders and Chinese workers. He also dabbled successfully in mining investments in Central City, Co. All this earned him a fortune. In the 1870's he brought his family over from China. Also in 1870 he was refered to as Mayor of Denver's China Town or "Hop Alley" as it was called. While he was in Blackhawk, Colorado he was the unofficial leader of 300 Chinese immigrants. Their community was called Cottenwood. Later in life when his daughter engaged to be married she imported a dress for $1000. It had $5 gold piece buttons and she was latter refered to as "Queen of Chinatown".
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