BIOGRAPHY: Abernethy, Alonzo
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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Page 363

      Honorable ALONZO ABERNETHY,---The paternal ancestors of Mr. Abernethy came 
from the north of Ireland to Connecticut at an early day; his mother was a lady of York, 
Pennsylvania, of Dutch ancestry.  Alonzo Abernethy was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, 
April 14, 1836.  In 1838 his father moved to Bellevue, Ohio, where Alonzo received the 
rudiments of common school education during the Winter months, working on the farm 
during Summer seasons until the age of seventeen.  In March, 1854, he moved with his 
father's family to Fayette County Iowa, and there, during the following Winter, commenced 
teaching school at a salary of #13 per month.  Having accumulated the sum of $60, he went 
to Burlington, the seat of the nearest educational institution, which he entered, and there 
remained three years and a half, with the exception of three months passed in teaching a 
neighboring district school.  He was dependent for support during this time chiefly on his 
own exertions, added to what little assistance his father was able to render.  He then entered 
the University of Chicago, and pursued his studies until August, 1861, when he left the 
senior class and enlisted in Company F of the 9th Iowa Infantry.  From this time he was 
almost constantly with the regiment until the close of its eventful career, having re-enlisted 
in January, 1864.  He served as orderly sergeant of his company during the first months of 
its history, including the campaign against Price in the Spring of 1862, culminating in the 
battle of Pea Ridge, on the 9th of April, where he was severely wounded in the right ankle.  
He was able to return to active duty in the latter part of July, having such participated in the 
attack on Haine's Bluff, above Vicksburg, and the capture of Arkansas Post.  As first 
lieutenant he took part in the campaign against Vicksburg in 1863, and was engaged in the 
principal battles around the city and near Jackson, both before and after the capture of the 
former.  As captain of his company he led it in the "battle above the clouds." On Lookout 
Mountain, and at Mission Ridge the day following.  In the Atlanta campaign and its 
principal battles he served as provost marshall on the staff of Genral Osterhaus.  
Participating in the "march to the sea," on reaching Savannah he was commissioned major, 
and took command of his regiment on the final Goldsboro campaign.  After this the regiment 
was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, where he received the solver leaf of lieutenant colonel, 
and as such was mustered out with the remnant of the veteran 9th, July 24, 1865.
	Returning to Fayette County, he was elected the following October as its 
representative in the Iowa Legislature, and participated in the session of 1866.  In 1869 he 
removed to Crawford County, Iowa, where he purchased land and engaged in farming; but in 
September, 1870, he was called to Des Moines as Principal of the Baptist College of that 
city.  In 1871 he was nominated and elected Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State 
of Iowa on the Republican ticket.  In 1873 he was re-nominated by acclamation as the 
unanimous choice of the State Convention in 1875 he was unanimously re-nominated for a 
third term.
	Mr. Abernethy's public life is a record of honorable and efficient services, untarnished 
by a single unworthy act.  His private character is equally blameless and praiseworthy.  He 
became a member a member of the Baptist Church at the age of sixteen, and has ever since 
maintained his connection with it.  In January, 1868, he was married to Miss Louise E. 
Eaton, and estimable lady of Fayette County.  He is described as a man of much energy of 
character, full of life and power, strict in his business habits, devoted to duty, and a close 
student.