Contributed by Eric Wood
The Fairfield Recorder
Sept 26, 1890-Sept 20, 1895
Transcribed by Ann Farnsworth
Fairfield Genealogical Society, copyright 2003
p. 80
June 21, 1895
Death of Rev. T. J. Bonner
Died June 13th, 1895 at the residence of his son, Walter Bonner, in Wortham,
Texas, Rev. T. J. Bonner, aged about 74 years, 6
months.
The deceased was a well known resident of this county having moved to Freestone
in 1859. He was born in Alabama Dec. 22nd, 1820. He was
educated at Erskine College of South Carolina where he graduated. He
engaged in ministerial work at the age of 21 as a minister of the Associate
Reformed Presbyterian Church. During the first year of his ministry he
traveled in Alabama and Georgia after which he settled in Wilcox County, Alabama
near Camden. There he followed the avocation of preaching and farming
until 1859 when he moved to this county, settling near the town of Bonner (then
called Woodland) where he lived continuously until many years after the war.
In 1884 he was elected County Treasurer of this county and served efficiently
for two years. He lived in Fairfield until July 1891 when he moved to
Palestine where he resided until about the first of May when he moved to Wortham
and being quite feeble in health made his residence with son, Mr. Walter Bonner.
Thus after going several milestone in life beyond the allotted "three score and
ten" the deceased passed away and went to receive the rewards of a Christian
life spent here on earth. He reared five children, three sons and two
daughters all of whom he lived to see grown and become members of church.
He had many friends and relatives in the county and had the esteem and
friendship of all that knew him. He was a man of quiet, pleasant
disposition, socialable and friendly with all; and his everyday walk in life
showed that he was a patient humble Christian. After a long eventful life
with many changing scenes, he now sleeps the short sleep of death, compared to
the great eternity to come, and on the glorious resurrection morn, he will live
forever with the saved through Christ.
His remains were interred in the Wortham Cemetery.