ALONZO ABERNETHY -was born April 14, 1836, in Sandusky County , Ohio . His early education was received in the public schools of that State. In March, 1854, he came with his father's family to Fayette County, Iowa. He entered the Chicago University, leaving the senior class in August, 1861, to enlist in the Ninth Iowa Infantry as a private. He was engaged in seventeen battles and won rapid promotion, attaining the rank of lieutenant-colonel before the regiment was mustered out. In 1865 he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Eleventh General Assembly from Fayette County. In 1870 he removed to Denison, in Crawford County, but was soon chosen president of Des Moines College. In 1871 he was elected on the Republican ticket Superintendent of Public Instruction, serving six years by reelections. He was largely instrumental in securing the enactment of the laws providing for Teachers' Norman Institutes and the establishment of a State Normal School. In September, 1876, he resigned his office to accept the presidency of the University of Chicago. After two years' service he made a trip to Europe and upon his return made his home on a farm near Denison. In July, 1881, he was elected president of the Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage. Colonel Abernethy has long ranked among the eminent educators of the State.

Source: History of Iowa From the Earliest Times To The Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume IV, Iowa Biography, B. F. Gue, 1903.

Civil War Veteran
Name: Alonzo Abernethy
Enlistment Age: 25
Birth Date: abt 1836
Birth Place: Ohio, USA
Enlistment Date: 5 Sep 1861
Enlistment Rank: 1st Sergt
Muster Date: 12 Sep 1861
Muster Place: Iowa
Muster Company: F
Muster Regiment: 9th Infantry
Muster Regiment Type: Infantry
Muster Information: Enlisted
Rank Change Date: 11 Mar 1862
Rank Change Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Transfer date: 1 Jan 1865
Transfer From Unit: F
Transfer To Unit: S
Casualty Date: 7 Mar 1862
Casualty Place: Pea Ridge, Arkansas
Type of Casualty: Wounded
Casualty Information: Slight
Muster Out Date: 18 Jul 1865
Muster Out Place: Louisville, Kentucky
Muster Out Information: Mustered Out
Side of War: Union
Survived War?: Yes
Was Officer?: Yes
Injured in Line of Duty?: Yes
Residence Place: Leo, Iowa
Additional Notes 2: Rank Change 2 Date: 06 Feb 1863; Rank Change 2 Rank: First Lieutenant; Rank Change 3 Date: 24 Jul 1863; Rank Change 3 Rank: Captain; Rank Change 4 Date: 01 Jan 1865; Rank Change 4 Rank: Major; Rank Change 5 Date: 19 Jun 1865; Rank Change 5 Rank: Lieutenant Colonel;
Title: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion; National Archives: Index to Federal Pension