Rev. T. J. Bonner

 

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.