Tuscola-Washtenaw-Ingham County MI Archives Biographies.....Lyon, Robert G. 1841 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 14, 2007, 6:56 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

ROBERT G. LYON is one of the prominent business men of Vassar, who proved his
valor and his endurance as well as patriotism upon the battlefield and in the
march and bivouac, and while we prize the record of the war days of our brave
men, we feel that we should realize more fully that the same men are now doing
as valuable work in the ordinary avocations of life as they did when marching
under the old flag, for they are promoting the prosperity of their beloved
country only in another way.

  Mr. Lyon was born near Ann Arbor, April 4, 1841, and his parents, L. M. and
Luna (Lane) Lyon, both natives of New York, came to Michigan many years ago. The
father was a native of the great Eastern metropolis, and came hither in 1830,
while still unmarried, and his union with Luna Lane took place in 1832.

  L. M. Lyon devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and his son was reared
on the farm. In addition to his common-school training he was given two years in
the Ann Arbor High School. At the age of eighteen he took his position at the
teacher's desk, and followed that profession for two years, after which he went
to Pennsylvania, and having been there a year and a half, he was still in the
East when the, war broke out. He was one of the first to respond to President
Lincoln's call for troops, and enlisted May 16, 1861, in Company F, Twenty-third
New York Infantry, being mustered in at Elmira, N. Y. He took part in several
hard-fought battles, being at South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the
second Bull Run, Chantilly and Chancellorsville. He received his honorable
discharge May 22, 1863.

  The young soldier was happy to be able to show the following recommendation,
which he received from his commanding officer:

Provost-Marshal's Office, Twenty-seventh Congressional District of the State of
New York, Elmira, N. Yr., July 21, 1863. 

To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Robert G. Lyon (the bearer) was a member of my company from its organization,
and has served his entire term of enlistment (two years) with marked fidelity.
The faithful discharge of his duties, his unwavering courage and bravery on all
occasions and under any circumstances, justly entitle him to my highest
recommendation for the kind consideration of our military authorities.
                       WILLIAM N. DINGELDEY,
                       Capt. Co. F, 23d Reg't, N. Y. V.

  Mr. Lyon returned to his father's home in Michigan, and there remained until
December 18, 1863, when he enlisted in the Fourteenth Independent Michigan
Battery. He served until July 1, 1865, after which he undertook the cultivation
of his father's farm and carried it on for one year on shares. After this he was
united in marriage, December 7, 1866, with Catherine Waite, of Scio, Washtenaw
County.

  The young couple now settled upon a farm, which Mr. Lyon had bought in
Onondaga Township, Ingham County, and there carried on agricultural operations
for fourteen years, during which time Mrs. Lyon's health became materially
impaired. Mr. Lyon now formed a partnership with Mr. A. Sanford, buying a
bankrupt stock of hardware at Vassar in 1880, and continued this relation until
April 11, 1891, when our subject bought out his partner's interest. He now has a
fine stock not only of hardware, but also of agricultural implements, paints,
oils and stoves, and by using good judgment and being courteous, honest, upright
and enterprising, he has built up an excellent trade and has made himself
extremely popular among those who have occasion to deal with him. His customers
are from the best class of both towns-people and farmers, and his success is all
the more commendable in that it has been the result of his own earnest and
unaided efforts.

  The political sympathies and convictions of Mr. Lyon have always brought him
into line with the Republican party, and he has been a leader in its ranks from
his first coming to Vassar. For four years he was the President of the village,
and at the present time he is the Chairman of the Water Committee. He is
prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, and is considered one of its
leading members.


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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