Person:Alonzo Chesbrough (1)

Alonzo at age twenty moved to Lockport, New York and began working for the lumber manufacturing firm of Cameron and Moody. Initially the owners rejected his application, but Alonzo offered to work without pay to prove his abilities. After one day on the job, the company hired him at the highest pay the position allowed.

Alonzo started out as a chopper, moved up through the ranks, and after twenty years, managed the interests of the company. At that time, he decided to strike out on his own. After exploring possible business, he settled on Toledo where he established his home on the east side of town and a large and profitable business. His business supplied timber to the government during the Civil War. Construction of the famous ironclad ship "Monitor" included his lumber. As his business expanded, he purchased large tracts in timber regions of Michigan and Ohio. These holdings included 59,000 acres of land on Michigan's northern peninsula

For over twenty-five years Alonzo maintained his business headquarters with the firm of Bell, Emerson and Company at the corner of Madison and Summit Streets. In addition to the lumber business, he served as the vice-president of the Second National Bank of Bay City, Michigan as well as the Exchange Bank of Lockport.

Alonzo's four sons inherited the business but Abram assumed the leading role in running the business.

After Alonzo's death in 1887, the company became known as Chesbrough Brothers. It operated until 1918 when Abram Chesbrough left to concentrate on his personal interests. He did, however, remain involved in the lumber business until around 1926 when he sold all his remaining interest in lumber mills and other holdings in order to retire. Abram Chesbrough died in May 1928 after a brief illness.