BONNETT, Frank

BONNETT, EUETT, CONROY, SPAIN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/20/2014 at 06:50:27

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith, Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 328-74. Chicago. 1915.

FRANK BONNETT

FRANK BONNETT is one of the most extensive stockmen and farmers of New Buda township, where he owns four hundred and thirty acres of excellent land. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, March 11, 1854, of the marriage of William and Mary Ellen (Euett) Bonnett. The father was born in Ohio of Dutch ancestry and the mother was likewise a native of that state, where their marriage occurred. In 1854 thev emigrated to Illinois and four years later came with their family to Decatur, Decatur county, Iowa. Subsequently they removed to Missouri but after farming there for ten years they returned to this [Decatur] county, where the father purchased land, which he operated until his demise. The mother also passed her last days here.

Frank Bonnett attended school in Missouri, at Leon and in New Buda township and remained upon the farm with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. He then became a farm hand and worked in the employ of others for two years, carefully saving his money in the meantime. He then bought forty acres of land, which he began farming for himself. He made a number of improvements upon the place and as he carefully husbanded his resources he was able from time to time to make additional purchases of land and today owns four hundred and thirty acres, one hundred and sixty of which is comprised in his home place, one hundred and ninety acres is located on section 20 and eighty acres on section 28, all in New Buda township. He rents about forty acres to others, raises grain on about seventy acres and devotes the rest of his holdings to pasture and hay lands. He raises a good grade of cattle, hogs and horses and feeds and ships from one to three carloads of cattle annually and about three carloads of hogs, using both the St. Joseph, Missouri, and Chicago markets. His farm is well improved, all of the buildings are substantial and well adapted to their purpose and the fields are inclosed by strong fencing, although when he purchased his land all of it was in a wild state.

On the 20th of February, 1873, Mr. Bonnett married Miss Maggie Conroy, a daughter of John and Catherine (Spain) Conroy, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America and located in Clinton county, Iowa. The mother died in that county but the father subsequently removed with his family to this county, where his demise occurred. During the Civil war he served as a soldier and made a very commendable record. Mrs. Bonnett was born in Clinton county, Towa, about 1859. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children: Osa, who was born May 3, 1874, and who is at home; Mamie, born September 3, 1877, also at home; and three who died in infancy.

Mr. Bonnett is a democrat and takes a keen interest in public affairs, although he has never had the time to take an active part in politics. His wife is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church of Clinton county, Iowa. He is one of the most successful stock-raisers of his township and his prosperity is due solely to his own efforts, as he began his independent business career without capital or influential friends.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014