L. L. BONHAM

BONHAM, WALKER, WELSH

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/17/2008 at 07:54:20

L. L. BONHAM

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. pp. 259 - 260.

"L. L. BONHAM, an enterprising citizen Ringgold county, engaged in the lumber business at Goshen, is a son of S. H. and Susan Bonham, who were natives of Ohio, but for forty-seven years have made their home in Iowa. L. L. Bonham was born in the State of Iowa, April 29, 1842, a native of Mahaska County. He was reared on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education in the schools of his neighborhood.

At the age of twenty years he enlisted in the service of his country in Company I, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg. After being in the service three years he was mustered out and received his final discharge at Davenport, Iowa.

He then returned to his home in Iowa, and April 26, 1866, was married to Mary E. Welsh, a daughter of Henry and Laura (Walker) Welsh, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bonham is a native of Iowa, born December 22, 1844. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonham have been born nine children - Irvin W. was born March 22, 1867, and died April 5, 1885; Fred H. was born December 14, 1868; J. M. born May 25, 1870; Florence, born March 25, 1872; Laura, born October 25, 1874; Leroy, born March 27, 1877; Novella, born January 21, 1879; Carrie, born July 1, 1883, and Eddie, born March 2, 1885.

After his return from the war, Mr. Bonham engaged in farming in his native county, which he followed until 1868. He then removed with his family to Clarke County, thence to Ringgold County in 1882, when he established his present business, and is one of the leading lumber merchants of the county.

In his political views he affiliates with the Greenback party. He belongs to the Odd Fellows order, being a charter member of Lodge No. 53, at Goshen. He also belongs to the Good Templars order at Goshen, and is a comrade of James Connelly Post, No. 285, G. A. R. Both Mr. And Mrs. Bonham are members of the Christian church."

Submitted to the Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com