Susan (Yarnall) Bonham (1910)

BONHAM, HAYDEN, MACK, PEARSON, SPRAGUE, YARNALL

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 12/16/2016 at 09:48:52

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, July 7, 1910
Page 1

Mrs. Susan Bonham, one of the oldest persons in Madison county and one of the county’s early settlers, died on last Thursday at her home at Macksburg. Mrs. Bonham, who was the widow of Alexander Bonham was past 93 years of age, and had resided in Madison county since 1857. Obituary notice will appear in these columns next week.
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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, July 14, 1910
Page 1

DEATH OF MRS. SUSAN BONHAM

The Oldest Citizen of Macksburg, and Probably Madison County Passes Away

Susan Bonham was born in Harrison county, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1816, and departed this life June 30, 1910, aged 93 years, 8 months and 24 days. She was married to Alexander Bonham on Nov.2 2, 1833, at New Athens, Ohio. They were among the pioneer settlers of Madison county, coming to Grand River township in the fall of 1857, and settling on the farm now occupied by Samuel Bonham, the youngest son. In 1882, they retired from the farm and moved to Macksburg, where she has since lived.

Mrs. Bonham was converted at the age of ten years and united with the Methodist church of which she remained a member until coming to Iowa, when she with her husband, united with the Baptist church at Macksburg. She lived a devoted Christian life for 83 years, always being solicitous for the salvation of her friends and neighbors. To be in her presence was an uplift and inspiration because of her cheerful happy disposition.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bonham were born nine children three of whom remain to mourn her death, together with 20 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, 11 great great grandchildren and a host of friends. The three remaining children are: Mrs. Hannah J. Mack of Macksburg, Geo. W. Bonham of Lorimor and Samuel Bonham of Macksburg.

Besides her own family, she raised three grandchildren, Mrs. Dora Hayden of Buffalo, Neb., Mrs. Jennie Sprague of Lorimor, and Miss Della Pearson of Macksburg, the latter remaining with and devotedly caring for her in her declining years.

Her health was exceptionally good until about four weeks ago, when she became ill and the last week was attended with intense suffering, but her mind was clear until the very last hour. She has constantly longed to go since her husband passed away eleven years ago, so the end came as a blessed release to her. Her last testimony and vision of her Savior and of the heavenly home awaiting here and her constant entreaty to all who came near her to meet her in heaven, can never be forgotten. Many times she was heard to say “Jesus, blessed Jesus. He is coming nearer.”

At her request Rev. Mills, assisted by Rev. Hargrove, conducted the funeral services in the Baptist church at Macksburg. The funeral text she selected was taken from the first five verses of the fifth chapter of Romans.
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Coordinator's note: Maiden name taken from Ohio Marriage Record and mother's gravestone.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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