Datus Ensign Coon (1831–1893) was a newspaper publisher, Union Army officer during the American Civil War, planter, and state politician in Alabama. He was a delegate to the 1875 Alabama Constitutional Convention and a fraternal order of veterans president in San Diego, California.[1] He served as a state legislator during the Reconstruction era in Alabama. representing Dallas County, Alabama in the Alabama House of Representatives.[2] He served on investigating committee evaluating corruption allegations against U.S. Senator George E. Spencer.[3]
He was the son of Luke Coon Jr. and Lois Locina Burdick, born in De Ruyter, New York to a religious family with roots in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He was named for Datus Ensign (1783-1853),[4] a famous evangelist of the time.[5] He worked on a farm in Iowa with his father before starting a newspaper.[6] During the American Civil War he served as Colonel of the 2nd Iowa Cavalry Regiment and eventually commanded a cavalry brigade.[7]
In 1872 he was documented as an inspector in the 2nd District of Alabama.[8] A specimen of gypsiferous marl from him in Selma, Alabama was documented in an agricultural report in 1872.[9]
He served as U.S. Commercial Agent in Baracoa, Cuba.[10]
He moved to San Diego in 1878 to serve as a "Chinese Inspector" (Chinese Exclusion Act).[11][12] He was a leading member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) in San Diego and was accidentally shot in 1893. The organization named one of its posts for him.[12]
He is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery in San Diego.[10]
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