Genesee-Saginaw County MI Archives Biographies.....Lonsberry, Jonathan 1843 - 
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Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

JONATHAN LONSBERRY. Genesee County has within its limits many fine farms and
successful farmers, but perhaps none attract more admiring attention than the
well-improved place on section 9, Thetford Township, and the owner thereof, who
is the genial Mr. Lonsberry. This gentleman is known as one of the valiant
defenders of the stars and stripes in times of peril, and the sacrifices which
he made in behalf of his country form a part of his life record, of which his
children have every reason to be proud. In his chosen calling of farming he has
prospered, and on his eighty-acre tract of land may be found comfortable
improvements which modern agriculture calls for. Since the time of purchasing
it, in 1884, Mr. Lonsberry has devoted his time assiduously to its development,
and the majority of the embellishments now visible upon it are the work of his
hands.

  The parents of Mr. Lonsberry were Jacob and Sarah (Coverly) Lonsberry, the
father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Canada. Jacob Lonsberry
followed the avocation of a farmer in Canada, where in Wentworth County his son
Jonathan was born March 7, 1843. The latter passed his boyhood days in a manner
not unusual with farmers' boys, going to school in the winter season and aiding
his father at home during the summer. At tiie age of sixteen he commenced to
learn the trade of a cooper, and was thus engaged for some time. When he left
Canada he made his way first to New York State, where he worked at his trade in
Lockport and Buffalo, and by careful economy saved his earnings.

  In 1868 Mr. Lonsberry came to Michigan, working at his trade first in Flint
and later in Saginaw until 1884, when he purchased his present property in
Thetford Township. Prior to coming to this State he was married, December 21,
1863, to Miss Jane Bennett, of Lockport, N. Y. Their happy wedded life has been
blessed by the birth of nine living children, viz: Edward A., Eugene W., Alice
M., Clara A., Sarah Jane, Cora B., Emma L., Archie and Edna. Two children are
deceased—Flossie M., and one who died in infancy.

  But we would be doing great injustice to Mr. Lonsberry were we to omit mention
of his career as a soldier during the late war. He enlisted in December, 1863,
in Company B, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, and with his regiment became a
part of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Lonsberry participated in all the
engagements in which his regiment took part, among the most important being
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, in front of Petersburg, June 16-22, inclusive,
Ream's Station, on the Weldon Railroad, first and second battle of Hatchie's
Run, Chapin Hill, etc. There were many other engagements of minor importance but
just as dangerous to the participants. After an honorable record as a soldier
and when peace was declared our subject was honorably discharged July 11, 1865,
and returned at once to his home. As a partial compensation for his services,
and for injuries received, he is granted a pension. In his political
affiliations he is a Democrat, but has never sought office of any kind,
preferring the pleasures of domestic life to the excitement of public position.
Socially he is quite prominent in the ranks of the Odd Fellows and the Patrons
of Industry.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892

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