John A. Bonham

    John A. Bonham, a member of the law firm of Bonham & Bonham, is a native of Indiana, born in Hartford City, April 16, 1861. He was reared at his birthplace, and was educated at the Hartford City High School, and the Indiana State University at Bloomington. During the summer vacations of the city high school and the State University he engaged as a clerk in the leading groceries of the city, thus preparing his way for his collegiate course. He taught three terms of school in Blackford County, the last two terms being consecutively at the same place, and was unanimously re-elected for the third term, but declined, having been admitted to the bar prior to the expiration of his second term.

    He began the study of law in June, 1882, and was admitted to the bar September 30, 1884, at Hartford City, Judge H.B. Saylor presiding, and at the same time he became a member of the firm of Bonham & Bonham. He is a rising attorney, and one of the prominent citizens of Hartford City. He has held the office of town clerk for three terms by re-election from May, 1884 to May, 1887, in a town thoroughly Democratic, which office he held with satisfaction to his constituents.

     He is a member of the Harford City Lodge, No. 262, I.O.O.F., of which he is Noble Grand, and is also a member of the Harford City Encampment, No. 115, in which he holds the position of Chief Patriarch. He also belongs to Blackford Lodge, No. 134, K. of P. In politics Mr. Bonham is a Republican. In 1884 he was president of the Blaine and Logan Club of Blackford County. In 1886 he was nominated for State Senator for the counties of Adams, Jay and Blackford, but declined the honor, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, page 787.