Biography of Edward Bonner, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 14 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Transcribed by Lisa Hamilton from 
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SOURCE:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 
Arkansas. Chicago:Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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Edward Bonner was born in Spartanburg, District, S. C., in 1841, being the son
of Andrew and Louisa Bonner, also natives of that state. Young Edward remained
in the vicinity of his birthplace until grown to manhood, receiving but limited
advantages for an education, and attending school only a portion of each year.
When nineteen years of age he assumed charge of his father's farm, and after the
latter's death remained with his mother conducting the business in a most
satisfactory manner. When twenty years old he enlisted in the Confederate Army
in Company G, Fifth South Carolina Regiment under, Captain Carpenter, commanded
by Col. Jenkins, and participated in the first battle of Manassas, but being
taken ill shortly thereafter, he was detailed to manage the Magnetic iron works,
located at Cherokee Ford, S. C. This was one of the most important branches of
industry in connection with the Southern cause. Mr. Bonner remained in this
position until the close of the war, after which he commenced business as a
merchant at Limestone Springs, S. C. After one year, at his mother's earnest
solicitation, he returned to her home and resumed control of her extensive
business. In 1869 he was married to Miss Julia G., daughter of Elijah and Julia
(Ray) Harris, and their marriage has been blessed with three interesting
children: Edward L., Carl Ray and Erma. The oldest child, Edward is a promising
young man, and bids fair to be a leader among men, standing intellectually far
above the average, a young man whose example is worthy of imitation. Mr. Bonner
moved to St. Francis Co. in 1984, locating in Forrest City, and four years later
was appointed postmaster at that place, serving in that capacity for five years,
and also as agent for the Southern Express Company. The change of administration
in 1883, or President Garfield's reign, caused his removal from the position of
postmaster. Since leaving the office Mr. Bonner has been merchandising, and at
present managing the co-operative store at Forrest City inaugurated by the
people for their benefit. The stock is valued at $45, 000 and under his
efficient control is rapidly increasing in value, and is one of the city's
leading enterprises. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and in religious
belief a Baptist, as is also his wife. Mr. Bonner is a liberal contributor to
all charitable movements, and, in fact, every act that betokens the good or
growth of the county finds him a staunch supporter. Previous to the war his
parents were quite wealthy, but the ravages incident to that period robbed them
of nearly everything, their land being about all that they possessed. The
paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, born near Petersburg, but
afterward moving to South Carolina, died there at the age of sixty three. The
maternal grandfather was Joseph Camp, of South Carolina nativity, who was called
to his final home at an advanced age. Mrs. Bonner's father was Rev. Elijah Ray,
a Baptist minister of South Carolina. Her mother's father, Col. William
Washington Harris, a native of North Carolina, was a soldier in the War of 1812,
serving as Colonel in the volunteer service, and died at the age of eighty-eight
years. He was one of the first settlers of Spartanburg, S. C.