Alonzo Grafton was born on the Grafton family farm in Jck Township, Champaign County, Ohio. By 1850, his parents, Thomas D. and Mary A., had moved to Pleasant Springs Township, Logan County, Ohio. On February 14, 1861, Alonzo married Sallie Heath of Logan County. Her parents were Henry Heath (born May 22, 1813, died September 26, 1888) and Clorinda Kerns (born February11, 1816, died March 12, 1896).
On August 8,1862, Alonzo, now 22, enlisted in Company E, 45th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in DeGraff, Ohio. In his first year, he served as mounted infantry with the regiment. He was then on detached duty as a recruiter for about eight months, from January 1863 through August 1863, under Major General Granger in Logan County. He was a Sergeant in Company E until March 2, 1865 when he was promoted to 1st Sergeant.
Alonzo was in many battles, including the siege of Knoxville, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain and all the engagements of the Atlanta Campaign. He and the 45th served under Thomas in the Battle of Franklin, which was about the hardest fought battle that he was ever in. After that, he participated in the two-day battle at Nashville which drove Hood back across the Tennessee River. He and the regiment finally went into winter quarters at Huntsville and then through East Tennessee, where he was when the war ended.
Alonzo was mustered out at Camp Harker, Tennessee on June 12, 1865 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He filed for pension on July 22,1892 in Illinois. Sallie filed for a widows pension on January 19,1909 in Illinois.
Alonzo moved to Coles County, Illinois after the war and settled in Section 32. This was a land grant that was given to veterans of the Civil War for their service. The piece of land that he originally received was a little north of Section 32 but was too wet so he traded for land in Section 32. Alonzo was a carpenter by trade and also taught school every winter except one. He taught seven terms in his home district. In 1867, Alonzo was the Commander of Post 548 of the Illinois Department. He was 5'11" tall, dark complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. His son, John K., married Marion Brashares' daughter, Bertha Brashares, uniting two Civil War lines in my family.
Information and photographs provided by John Grafton.
Alonzo Grafton (During War)
