Lonson Corey was the youngest of seven children born to James Corey and Deborah Rathbun in 1816 in Onondaga County, NY. James was a descendant of William Cory of Rhode Island, born ca. 1628, who was originally from Bristol, England. As a young lad of 11, Lonson traveled with his parents and family about 1827 to the relatively new State of Illinois (Dec. 1818), settling near Grandview in Edgar Co.
By 1835, Lonson had hiked on foot alone to what is now Rockford in Winnebago County, arriving one year after his older brother, Lova. Together, they built a log cabin at the foot of a bluff along the Rock River two miles south of Rockford, which to this day, is still called Corey's Bluff.
Lonson and his brothers purchased several 40-acres tracts of land from the government in Winnebago county. After his land purchases, he launched a new career of selling land, rather than farming it, in both Illinois and Iowa.
On Dec. 27, 1838, Lonson married Margaret Long, the daughter of Richard Long, Sr. and the sister of John B. Long, Sr. who was one of the founders of Mason City, Iowa. She died at age 53 in Rockford, IL and is possibly buried there in the Long Cemetery, but proof is lacking.
Lonson died at the age of 80 at the home of his daughter, Margaret Crawford, in Mason City, Iowa. Cause of death was Brights disease and old age. His was interred in a grave purchased by his son, James R., who was living in nearby Garner, Iowa. His grave remained unmarked for 109 years until 2005 at which time a third great-grandson placed one for him. [by Richard J. Corey]
By 1835, Lonson had hiked on foot alone to what is now Rockford in Winnebago County, arriving one year after his older brother, Lova. Together, they built a log cabin at the foot of a bluff along the Rock River two miles south of Rockford, which to this day, is still called Corey's Bluff.
Lonson and his brothers purchased several 40-acres tracts of land from the government in Winnebago county. After his land purchases, he launched a new career of selling land, rather than farming it, in both Illinois and Iowa.
On Dec. 27, 1838, Lonson married Margaret Long, the daughter of Richard Long, Sr. and the sister of John B. Long, Sr. who was one of the founders of Mason City, Iowa. She died at age 53 in Rockford, IL and is possibly buried there in the Long Cemetery, but proof is lacking.
Lonson died at the age of 80 at the home of his daughter, Margaret Crawford, in Mason City, Iowa. Cause of death was Brights disease and old age. His was interred in a grave purchased by his son, James R., who was living in nearby Garner, Iowa. His grave remained unmarked for 109 years until 2005 at which time a third great-grandson placed one for him. [by Richard J. Corey]
Lonson Corey was the youngest of seven children born to James Corey and Deborah Rathbun in 1816 in Onondaga County, NY. James was a descendant of William Cory of Rhode Island, born ca. 1628, who was originally from Bristol, England. As a young lad of 11, Lonson traveled with his parents and family about 1827 to the relatively new State of Illinois (Dec. 1818), settling near Grandview in Edgar Co.
By 1835, Lonson had hiked on foot alone to what is now Rockford in Winnebago County, arriving one year after his older brother, Lova. Together, they built a log cabin at the foot of a bluff along the Rock River two miles south of Rockford, which to this day, is still called Corey's Bluff.
Lonson and his brothers purchased several 40-acres tracts of land from the government in Winnebago county. After his land purchases, he launched a new career of selling land, rather than farming it, in both Illinois and Iowa.
On Dec. 27, 1838, Lonson married Margaret Long, the daughter of Richard Long, Sr. and the sister of John B. Long, Sr. who was one of the founders of Mason City, Iowa. She died at age 53 in Rockford, IL and is possibly buried there in the Long Cemetery, but proof is lacking.
Lonson died at the age of 80 at the home of his daughter, Margaret Crawford, in Mason City, Iowa. Cause of death was Brights disease and old age. His was interred in a grave purchased by his son, James R., who was living in nearby Garner, Iowa. His grave remained unmarked for 109 years until 2005 at which time a third great-grandson placed one for him. [by Richard J. Corey]
By 1835, Lonson had hiked on foot alone to what is now Rockford in Winnebago County, arriving one year after his older brother, Lova. Together, they built a log cabin at the foot of a bluff along the Rock River two miles south of Rockford, which to this day, is still called Corey's Bluff.
Lonson and his brothers purchased several 40-acres tracts of land from the government in Winnebago county. After his land purchases, he launched a new career of selling land, rather than farming it, in both Illinois and Iowa.
On Dec. 27, 1838, Lonson married Margaret Long, the daughter of Richard Long, Sr. and the sister of John B. Long, Sr. who was one of the founders of Mason City, Iowa. She died at age 53 in Rockford, IL and is possibly buried there in the Long Cemetery, but proof is lacking.
Lonson died at the age of 80 at the home of his daughter, Margaret Crawford, in Mason City, Iowa. Cause of death was Brights disease and old age. His was interred in a grave purchased by his son, James R., who was living in nearby Garner, Iowa. His grave remained unmarked for 109 years until 2005 at which time a third great-grandson placed one for him. [by Richard J. Corey]
Inscription
Lonson Corey
APR 29, 1816
JULY 7, 1896
Family Members
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