My Genealogy Hound

HON. ALONZO PLUMMER, Mayor of Benton Harbor, and one of the successful attorneys of southwestern Michigan, is a native of Maine, having been born in Hartland, Somerset County, on the 18th of February, 1842. His parents, William and Fannie (Gordon) Plummer, were likewise natives of Maine, the former being a son of William Plummer, of Danville, that State. The boyhood years of our subject were somewhat uneventfully passed in the place of his birth, where he acquired the rudiments of his education in the common schools, and subsequently pursued his studies in St. Alban’s Academy.

When about twenty years of age Mr. Plummer enlisted for service in his country’s defense, and on the 1st of March, 1862, his name was enrolled as a private in the Fourth Maine Battery, assigned to the Army of the Potomac. On the 9th of February, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant in Company A, Thirtieth United States Colored Troops, and in July of the following year was again promoted for gallantry and bravery becoming First Lieutenant, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. His command belonged to the Army of the Potomac. Among the important engagements in which he participated may be mentioned those of Cedar Mountain, the second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, battles of the Wilderness, and the siege of Petersburg. He was present at the capture of Ft. Fisher, N. C., January 12, 1865, and the capture of Wilmington, N. C., as well as numerous minor engagements, in all of which his conduct was meritorious.

After having been honorably discharged at the close of the war, Mr. Plummer returned to his old home in Maine. Soon afterward he entered the Albany (N. Y.) Law School, from which he was graduated in May, 1866, and during the same year he was admitted to practice at the Bar of the State of New York. He immediately came West and, locating in Minneapolis, conducted an extensive practice both in that city and St. Paul until April, 1869, meantime gaining the reputation of being a skillful and well-informed legal practitioner. Returning to the East, he sojourned in Boston, Mass., until 1870, when he came to Benton Harbor, and has since been identified with the history of this place, being one of its most prominent public men and successful attorneys.

On August 12, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Plummer to Ellen D. Hawkes, of New York, the daughter of Ahijah and Louisa Hawkes, natives of Maine. Two children have been born to bless the home, Edith and Harry, in whose education Mr. Plummer and his wife have spared neither expense nor time. As has been already stated, Mr. Plummer is one of the most influential of Benton Harbor’s citizens, and has been one of the most important factors in the growth of the place. In the spring of 1893 he was elected Mayor of the city, and is now holding that position, doing much to secure municipal reforms and improvements, and laboring effectively for the advancement of the place and the best interests of the citizens. He is an active member of George H. Thomas Post No. 14, G. A. R., and as one of the brave soldiers to whom we owe the preservation of the Union is entitled to the gratitude of all who love their country. In politics he is a stanch Republican and is recognized as one of the leaders of the party in this portion of the State.