Bonebright, Thomas B.

BONEBRIGHT, BREWER

Posted By: Laura Schnabel (email)
Date: 2/12/2007 at 15:46:43

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Webster and Hamilton Counties, Iowa
Published 1888

Page 281

Thomas B. Bonebright, one of the prominent pioneers of Hamilton County, is a native of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, born September 29, 1836, son of Frederick and Maria (Blackwell) Bonebright. In 1846 his parents moved to Stephenson County, Illinois, being among the first settlers of Freeport. Thomas was reared on a farm and received but limited educational advantages. In 1856 he started for Hamilton County, Iowa, driving a team for Washington Saulsbury, and the first year in the State worked for him. The next year he worked for George McClure in a saw-mill, and in the spring of 1857 joined the Spirit Lake expedition company and assisted in burying the dead killed by the Indians at that place. In 1859 he went to Wright Coungy, and lived four years, when he returned to Webster City and for several years worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1882 he was employed as mechanic on the Northwestern Railroad, and later superintended the water department on the western branch of the road, having charge of all the pumps and engines. He has a pleasant home in the southern part of Webster City. Mr. Bonebright was married May 2, 1859 to Sarah Jane Brewer, a daughter of Willson Brewer, a pioneer of Hamilton County. Mr. and Mrs. Bonebright have had six children, five of whom are living--George W., Harriet M., wife of Theodore Close; William Wallace, Frank A., and Ella Belle. A daughter, Adella, died aged eleven years. In politics Mr. Bonebright is a Republican. He is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor, and Knights of Labor.