BONNEY, Capt. J.H.: Died 1887

BONNEY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/2/2016 at 02:26:32

Capt. J.H. Bonney died at his home in Keosauqua, Monday, Sept. 12, at 4 o'clock p.m., aged 70 years and 7 months. He has been deputy postmaster at Keosauqua for the past two years, and up to Sept. 1st, discharged the duties of the office. On that date he complained of a slight indisposition and continued in about the same condition, being able to sit up, and not suffering much, until Sunday or Monday, when he became very much worse, and died Monday afternoon.

We copy the following brief sketch of his life from the Deocrat:

Capt. Bonney was born Feb. 14, 1817, in the State of New York. He came to Van Buren county in 1839. He seems to have had considerable means when he came here, and being a man of good intellectual attainments and pleasing address, he during the next fifteen years, bore a conspicuous and enviable part in county, territorial and state affairs. In 1840 he was elected sheriff of this county, being the first elected by the people. In 1843 he was elected a member of the territorial legislature. In 1844 he was again elected sheriff. During this term, namely, May 13, '45, he officiated at the hanging of Wm. McColly, it being the only legal execution that ever took place in this county. In 1846, the subject of this sketch was elected clerk of the courts, being the first clerk of the county, elected by the people, and being the first to hold the office after the admission of Iowa into the union. In 1848 he was elected secretary of State, and in 1853, was elected a commissioner of the Des Moines river improvement. His later positions, such as steward of the poor farm seven years, and deputy sheriff six years, are familiar to all. Formerly, when not occupied with public employment, he was engaged successively in farming, in merchandzing(sp), and in banking, pursuing the latter business from 1855 to 1860.

**Handwritten: BIRMINGHAM ENTERPRISE 22 SEPT. 1887 pg3 col6

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 191, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA