Orpha Bonney 1853-1946

BONNEY, STANARD

Posted By: Volunteer-Barbara Evans
Date: 11/30/2011 at 10:10:09

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Scrapbook A, page 276, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA

Orpha Bonney

Orpha Bonney, fourth daughter of Josiah Hinman and Orpha Stanard Bonney, was born September 28, 1853, in Keosauqua in the home now known as Bonneyview, and died at Milton, Iowa, July 26, 1946 at the advanced age of 92 years and 10 months. She taught school in Keosauqua for a number of years and in Red Oak, Iowa for about thirteen years. In 1895 she returned to Keosauqua and was for many years a partner in the Wormley-Philo store, then later was for six years the deputy county recorder.

Bonneyview, the home into which her parents moved in 1845, and in which she was born, as well as all except the eldest of her four sisters and one brother, was her physical home during most of her long life and her spiritual home always. Her love for it grew with the years and seemed to gather into itself some of her love for those who had lived within its walls. Her loyalty and unselfish devotion to her family were outstanding. To Keosauqua also she was deeply attached, caring intensely for its welfare and taking an active interest in all that went on in the town.

In her girlhood she joined the Methodist church in Keosauqua but later transferred her membership to the Episcopal church. She was a loyal member of Chapter I of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She had a keen mind and an artistic bent. Her clever fingers skillfully executed with needle the original designs her mind devised. She delighted her friends with her poetry. In recent years she has spoken often of being ready to go except that there were still many things in her mind which she [Note: The rest of the obituary is cut off.]