Mary (Goff) Simmons Bonine

BONINE, DUNGAN, GOFF, TALBERT

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 00:37:43

“History of Madison County Iowa and Its People”
Herman A. Mueller, Supervising Editor
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Mary K. Bonine has been operating a farm on section 13, Madison township, with the assistance of her son, and she has proved herself an able business woman. She was born in Delaware county, Indiana, April 9, 1843, a daughter of Nathan P. and Elizabeth (Norris) Goff, natives respectively of West Virginia and Kentucky. Mr. Goff, who was a farmer by occupation, removed to Indiana in the early days of that state and there cultivated land until 1864, when he and his family became residents of Madison county, Iowa. He purchased land in Jefferson township but subsequently removed to Douglas township, where he farmed for many years. At length he was enabled to retire and passed his declining years with his children. His death occurred in February, 1900, and his wife died on the 16th of August, 1894.

Mary K. Goff was reared and acquired her education in the Hoosier state. When eighteen years of age, or on the 10th of August, 1861, she became the wife of Joseph D. Simmons, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dungan) Simmons. The father followed agricultural pursuits and Joseph D. Simmons was early trained in the work of the farm. He and his bride came to Madison county, Iowa, in 1864 with her parents and Mr. Simmons operated land given him by his father-in-law for twelve years. He then sold it and removed with his family to DeSoto, Dallas county, this state, where he worked at his trades, being a carpenter, stone-mason and also a plasterer, and known as a thorough and painstaking workman. He met death by accident in De Soto on the 3rd of February, 1877. During the Civil war Mr. Simmons manifested his patriotism by trying to enlist in an Indiana regiment in 1861 but was refused on account of impaired hearing, caused by scarlet fever. Later, however, he was drafted and faithfully served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Indianapolis, Indiana.

To Mr. and Mrs. Simmons were born seven children: Florence, whose birth occurred in Indiana, July 3, 1863, and who died on the 4th of July, 1864; a son, born December 2, 1864, who died in infancy; Amanda J., born May 12, 1866; William E., who was born August 23, 1868, and is living in Colorado; Nathan E., whose birth occurred on the 16th of December, 1871, and who is assisting his mother in the operation of her farm; Lydia O., born April 6, 1873; and Mattie J., born April 19, 1877.

Following the death of her husband Mrs. Simmons removed .to Madison township and made her home with her parents until the 24th of April, 1884, when she was again married, her second husband being Thomas E, Bonine, a son of Thomas and Martha (Talbert) Bonine, both natives of Indiana. Thomas E. Bonine was born in Hendricks county, that state, and when fifteen years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Madison county, Iowa. He became the owner of eighty acres of land on section 13, Madison township, which he developed and operated until his death, which occurred on the 15th of October, 1909.

Since his demise Mrs. Bonine has operated the farm with the assistance of her son and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. They raise high grade Duroc Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle as well as the usual grains and derive a gratifying income from their agricultural interests. The son, Nathan E. Simmons, is a Republican and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. His fraternal connections are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church, to which his mother also belongs. Mrs. Bonine has resided in this county for many years and her circle of friends is only limited by her circle of acquaintances.

Madison Biographies maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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