Born in Michigan in 1837, Lucius V. Lyon attended a Baptist school prior to enlisting with Company C, Sixth Michigan Infantry, August 20, 1862.
Lyon fought under General Benjamin Butler in the western theater of the war, from New Orleans to Baton Rouge to Mobile, Alabama and back to New Orleans. During an engagement in the Red River campaign he escaped a sinking boat but found himself behind Rebel lines, from whence, following some harrowing experiences, he eventually made his way back to Union lines.
Lyon was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the 73rd Colored Regiment of New Orleans, and in August 1864, First Lieutenant. The same year he was sent North to help recruit for the regiment.
Having survived the war, today Lyon is mustered out at New Orleans.
Afterward, Lyon purchases a sixty-four acre in Brady Township and supports his family. The Baptist layman also serves as Justice of the Peace for ten years and is involved in Republican politics.
Source: Portrait and biographical record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren counties, Michigan, Chicago: Chapman, 1902, pp. 1109-1110 (link)
