Biography of

John Lonas, Co D

John Lonas was born in Auburn, New York in 1820. At some point later in time, his family moved to Ohio. On September 17, 1843, he married Rachel Dailey in Meigs County, Ohio. Together, they were blessed with five children. Census records for 1850 list his occupation as a farmer. With the call by President Lincoln for volunteers to enlist for a three year period, he made his way to Camp Wool, Athens County, Ohio and joined the 18th Regiment on September 10, 1861. It appears that much of his military career was marred by lingering sickness. When the 18th advanced into Southern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee, John was left behind at Bacon Creek, Kentucky. John Lonas was captured at the Battle of Chickamauga, September 19, 1863 and died in May, 1864 in the rebel prison at Danville, Virginia.