George W. Bonham
George W. Bonham is a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of Blackford County. He resides on section 28, Washington Township, engaged in farming, and is the owner of eighty acres of well improved and very productive land. he is a son of Peter and Susannah (Yost) Bonham, the father born in Virginia in 1798, and the mother a native of Perry County, Ohio, born March, 1800. They were reared in Perry County, Ohio, where they were married, and to them were born eight children -Isaac, a farmer, living in Lawrence County, Indiana; Nicholas was a member of the Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, and died in hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, in June, 1865; Lyman was a cabinet-maker and died in Montpelier, Indiana, in February, 1884, leaving a family of nine children. He was twice married. Naomi is the wife of William McCallister, and is living in Wells County; George W., the subject of this sketch; William A.; Francis M., living at Briant, Jay County, and Mary C., wife of George Mincer, of Fort Wayne. In February, 1837, the father came with his family to Blackford County, Indiana, and settled on a farm in Washington Township, now owned by Larkin McIntire, and ere they lived many years. The family lived near Granville the first winter spent in Blackford County, until the father and older sons built a round-log cabin. This cabin was built in the most primitive style, with puncheon floor, the roof and door being made of clapboards, and greased paper was used for windows. the family occupied this cabin about ten years, when they built a hewed-log house, which latter was replaced ten or fifteen years later by a frame house which was plastered but never painted. In this house the father died December 23, 1859. The mother is still living, making her home with her eldest son, Isaac, in Lawrence County.
George W. Bonham, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on the home farm in Washington Township, and received a limited education in the early subscription schools of the county. He was married December 22, 1854, to Miss Nancy J. Lenon, and to them were born the following children -John M., born February 24, 1857; Mary S., born September 6, 1859, is the wife of Cary Hackney, of Washington Township; George H., born March 17, 1864; Cora L., born May 26, 1868; Sarah E., born March 26, 1871.
Mr. Bonham enlisted in the late war, September 30, 1864, and was assigned to Company D, Fortieth Indiana Infantry. He joined his regiment at Columbia, Tennessee, and his first engagement was at Spring Hill, his second battle being at Franklin, Tennessee. His regiment was on the left flank skirmish line when attacked at Franklin, and retreated to Nashville, taking part in the battle there. They followed the rebels to Huntsville, Alabama, thence to Knoxville, repairing the railroad between Huntsville and Knoxville. Mr. Bonham received his discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, June 16, 1865, when he returned to his home in Washington Township, where he has since devoted his time to his farm.
Mrs. Bonham was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, September 15, 1831, where she was reared until her twentieth year. She then came with her parents, James and Susannah (Steele) Lenon, to Blackford County, they settling on a partially improved farm in Washington Township, the farm being now owned by the widow of John Wilt.
James Lenon was of Irish descent, his father, Thomas Lenon, being a native of Ireland. the mother of Mrs. Bonham was bon in Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Steele, both of whom died in Muskingum County, Ohio. Mrs. Lenon also died in Muskingum County, aged almost forty-eight years. Mr. Lenon died in Washington Township, Blackford County, in 1870, in his eightieth year. Mr. and Mrs. Lenon were the parents of nine children -Mary A., Thomas, Joseph, James, William, George W., Matthew, John and Nathan.
Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford County, Indiana. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, page 857-858.
