Lathbury, John bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 561-562; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John Lathbury, a well-known resident of Lewistown and a veteran of the late war, in which he did good ervice for his adopted country, was born in Manchester, England, March 8, 1841. His father, Richard Lathbury, and his grandfather, whose name was Thomas, were also natives of England. The latter came to this country in 1845, and settled in Ontario County, N. Y. He did not engage in any business as he had an income sufficient for his support. He resided there until his death. Three of his sons came to America: John, Thomas who came when about sixteen years of age, before his father, and Richard. The two former settled in Ontario County, and followed the trade of carpenter. Thomas died there and John moved to Ohio.
The father of our subject served seven years to learn the trade of a carpenter, and then pursued that calling in England, until the fall of 1845. At that time, with his wife and two children, and his father and mother he set sail from Liverpool for this country and landed at New York. Until 1856, he was engaged in carpentering in Manchester, N. Y., and in the fall of that year came to Fulton County of which he thus became a pioneer and has since resided here. He was married in England to Sarah Gibson, a native of that country. The following are the children that were born to them: John, William, Amanda, Mary A., Hannah M., Harry, Henry and Thomas, of whom the two oldest were born in England.
John Lathbury was four years old when his parents brought him to this country and he has but little recollection of the land of his birth. When he was ten years old, he was employed on a farm and worked for his board and clothes the ensuing three years, and then by the month until 1856. In that year he came to Illinois, and was engaged on a farm until 1862. In the meantime the great Civil War had broken out. He was much interested in watching its progress and at last determined to enlist to fight in defence of his adopted country, under whose institutions he had been reared, and of which he was as loyal a citizen as if he had been born under the folds of the Stars and Stripes. In the month of August, that year, he enrolled his name as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry. This was one of the most active regiments in the army. It was mustered into service at Peoria, October 2, 1862, and in November, went to Tennessee where it was quartered for the winter. In the spring it started on the Vicksburg campaign, and while the siege was going on was guarding the rear of the Federal army, keeping Johnston’s forces from reinforcing Vicksburg, and after the fall of that city, fought Johnston’s army at Jackson, Miss.
That fall our subject and his comrades marched to Chattanooga, took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge and then went to the relief of Burnsides at Knoxville. From there they went by the way of Chattanooga, to Southboro, Ala., where they had their quarters the ensuing winter. Starting out in the spring, they joined Sherman’s command and on the 4th of May, entered on the Atlanta campaign, and were engaged in the principal battles on the way to and around Atlanta.
On the 22d of July, the same day McPherson was killed, Mr. Lathbury was severely wounded. He was soon taken to the hospital at Marietta and ten days later was granted a furlough and returned home. On the expiration of his leave of absence, he reported at the Quincy hospital, and was honorably discharged from there in June, 1865.
As soon as able after his return home, our subject went to work at his trade of a carpenter, which he continued until 1880, when he was appointed janitor at the court-house, and in 1882, he was selected to occupy the same position at the Presbyterian Church, and both institutions are still under his care. He performs his duties very faithfully, and very satisfactorily to all concerned, and the buildings are kept in perfect order.
In 1862, Mr. Lathbury and Miss Emma Hunter were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, and to them have come three children: William S., Amanda, and Mary Beele. Mrs. Lathbury was born in the mother country, and came to America when she was four years old with her parents, James and Mary (Hartley) Hunter. She and her daughter are devoted members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Lathbury has always been a stanch supporter of Republican principles, whether in times of war or in times of peace. He is quite prominent in Grand Army circles and is a charter member of Thomas Layton Post. He has been industrious, prudent and thrifty, and has acquired considerable property, and is the proprietor of three dwellings in this city.