Bonneville, Michael 1850-1936

BONNEVILLE, PIORET, RODEN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 7/13/2016 at 17:00:32

Source: Alton Democrat (8-21-1936)

Born: May 6, 1850
Died: August 14, 1936

MICHAEL BONNEVILLE WAS VETERAN OF FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR

Michael Bonneville, Alton resident since 1888, passed away at his home here Friday night, August 14th, at the age of 80 years. He had been confined to bed only a week but gradually grew weaker due to the encroachment of advanced years.

A native of France and veteran of the Franco-Prussian War, his life covered a wide span of historic events. Born at a hospital in Metz, Lorraine on May 6th, 1850, his native village was Sirk, Lorraine, where he grew to manhood. In 1872 he served with the French Forces in the war against Germany, and the loss of his home province to Germany was a bitter blow. When, years later, his two elder daughters married detested Prussians, it was not with his approval. Still later, in 1917, his youngest son, Larry enlisting in the U.S. Rainbow Division at the age of 17, fought with the Allied Forces which restored Alsace Lorraine to France, and the boy’s brother-in-law, one of the once-despised Prussians, was killed while serving in the German army.

He was married, at about 26 years of age to Josephine Pioret of his native village and three daughters were born to the union, Mary, Mrs. Jos. Schlauder of Thionville; Alice, Mrs. Wolff of Metz; and Sidonie, Mrs. A. Schneider. It was the latter’s husband who was killed in the World War. Four years after the passing of his first wife, he married Anna Marie Roden of Sandweller, Luxembough, in December 1886. Had he lived a few months longer, the couple would have celebrated their golden wedding. They came to this country in April, 1888, settling at Alton, and their seven are all good citizens of the United States. They are Magdalene, Mrs. Adolph Molitor of Spokane, Washington; Edward Rodin, Oakland, California; Dora, Mrs. Oscar Brule, Green Valley, Minnesota; John, Long Beach, California; Frank, Alhambra, California; Lorenz, Oakland, California; and Beatrice, Mrs. Lynn Sorgdrager, Alton. There are nine grandchildren in Europe and nine grandchildren in America, also one great-grandchild.

In his early years in France he was a building foreman with several men under him, the work requiring handling and lifting of many stones, far different from modern construction and a back-breaking job. After coming to the United States he was employed for some years on a farm, then for 29 years was employed as gardener and general helper by F.M. Slagie and later by W.S. Slagie. For the past fifteen years he has been unable to do any heavy manual work. He is survived by his devoted wife of 17 years his junior, and the children and grandchildren previously mentioned. His daughters by his previous marriage were reared by their maternal grandmother, who refused to give the children up when her son-in-law remarried. In the year 1900 he returned to his native country for a visit and to attend the wedding of his daughter.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at St. Mary’s Church with Very Reverend M.A. Schemel officiating. On account of their far-distant location , the children in the West were not able to come for the services, but Mrs. Brule and daughter Mary Louise, arrived here from Green Valley on Thursday. Others from out of-of-town here for the funeral were Mrs. Matt Ruppert, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Pommier, Mrs. Cletus Reardon, Aloysins and Miss Catherine Ruppert, all of Currie, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Goergen and Mrs. Joe Schumache of Granville, besides other old friends from neighboring towns.