Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. p. 778.

JOHN A. COONS, pastor of the Christian church at Nottingham, was born in Highland County, Ohio, October 6, 1836, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Allison) Coons, the former born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and the latter in the State of Delaware. The parents were married in Highland County, Ohio, and October 4, 1837, they removed to Jay County, this State, where the father died December 4, 1865, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The mother is still living, and is in her eighty-eighth year. John A. was reared to farm life in Jay County, and this occupation he followed until he entered the ministry. He was married in his native county August 14, 1856, to Miss Catherine Hall, a native of Union County, Ohio, and to this union have been born ten children, of whom two, William T. and Dora Melville, are deceased. Those living are—Isaac O.; Mary Rebecca, wife of John Gardner, Dennis, who resides in Blackford County; Laura Olive, wife of John Mumford, also residing in Blackford County; Montille Orestus, Osro Nelson, Marvin Coons and Austin Decatur. Mrs. Coons died March 21, 1880, and then Mr. Coons decided to enter the ministry. He was first placed in charge of the congregation in Jackson Township, Blackford County, where he preached the gospel two years. He was then engaged at Silver Lake church, where he had charge two years. In December, 1885, he received his call to the Nottingham church, and besides attending to this charge, he is doing a great deal of missionary work around Wells, Randolph, Jay, Blackford, Delaware and other counties. Mr. Coons was married to his present wife July 31, 1886. She was formerly Mrs. Anna M. Eifer, whose first husband was Dr. P. J. Lanning. February 28, 1864, Mr. Coons enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, and was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, under General John A. Schofield, General Hovey being the first Division Commander, General Haskell the second and General Ruger the last one. He was in the engagements at Resaca, Marietta, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro and the two days' fight at Nashville, which occurred December 15 and 16, 1864. His last engagement was at Kingston, North Carolina. They garrisoned Charlotte for seven months after the close of the war, and then returned home. He was discharged December 2, 1865. Mr. Coons was one of the charter members of Alexander Trimble Post, No. 213, Red Key, Indiana, and was the first chaplain of the post. He has held that office ever since its organization.