Chapin is named for Israel Chapin. Most of our place-names commemorate the pioneer families who cleared the land, tamed the water power, and carved a thriving new county out of the wild. Shortsville is named for Theophilus Short, Oaks Corners for Jonathan Oaks, Stanley for Seth Stanley, and Reed's Corners for Seth Reed. Hill Cumorah is named for the people of that name mentioned in the Book of Mormon. A few of our place-names reflect some association with another place of the same name.
Geneva is named for Geneva, Switzerland, although no one knows exactly why.
Perhaps it is related to the strength of the Presbyterian Church in both places. Manchester reflects the hopes of its founders that it would become an industrial town like its namesake in England. Farmington got its name from a town near Hartford, Connecticut, home of Judge Hosmer who named the town. Cheshire is named for another village in Connecticut, and Bristol, Massachusetts, home of many early settlers, gave its name to two of our towns. Naples, Italy, is reflected in the name of our southern village.