Following the end of the
American Civil War, Chidsey pursued a career in rail and heavy industry, working as a clerk in the
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, as secretary of the Warren Foundry and Machine Company, and finally as president of the Eastern Railroad Company.
Post-mayoral career After leaving office Chidsey successfully sought election to the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1896. He did not seek reelection and his term expired in 1898. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the
Pennsylvania State Senate in 1906. He unsuccessfully ran for
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania in 1910, losing the Republican primary to
John Merriman Reynolds. He was elected as one of the first Easton City Commissioners, and held the office from 1913 to 1916, but did not seek reelection. His last public appearance was in 1931 at a Christmas banquet for
Union Army veterans from Easton. ==Death==