Ford County IL Archives Biographies.....Bonnen, Harry January 11, 1850 - 
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Norma Hass http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00013.html#0003021 February 25, 2017, 7:56 pm

Source: History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, volume 2, pages 478-482
Author: Gardner, Ernest Arthur

Harry Bonnen owns and occupies a farm on section 29, Dix township. It is a 
place of one hundred and fifty-six acres and the corner adjoins the 
corporation limits of the village of Guthrie. He is not actively engaged in 
the development of the fields now but rents the land to others, although he 
still lives there.

He was born in Germany on the 11th of January, 1850, his parents being Bonnie 
P. and Tillie (DeGrote) Bonnen, who came to America in the fall of 1867 with 
their family of four sons and three daughters, namely: Richard, who now 
follows farming in Dix township; Harry, of this review; Anna, who is living in 
Kansas City; Peter, who was killed by a horse; Bertha, the wife of Henry 
Farris, who is farming in Drummer township; George, who carries on farming in 
Dix township and is mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Caroline, the wife 
of Harry Schutte, who is also represented on another page of this volume.

The father was a farmer by occupation, devoting his entire life to that 
pursuit. Sailing for the new world on the vessel America, accompanied by his 
family, he landed at New York city after a. voyage of fourteen days and then 
went to Springfield. Illinois, where he remained for three days. He next 
proceeded to Petersburg, Menard county, and soon afterward rented an eighty 
acre farm about ten miles from Petersburg. In 1873 he purchased the tract of 
one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Dix township, upon which Harry 
Schutte now resides. He lived in Menard county for three years and in Cass 
county for one year and then came to Ford county, settling on a farm two miles 
south of Gibson, which was his home until his labors brought him sufficient 
capital to enable him to purchase what is now the Schutte farm. His life was 
one of industry and enterprise and in this regard proved an excellent example 
for his family.

Harry Bonnen was reared to habits of thrift, industry and perseverance, lie 
acquired his education in the schools of Germany and the home atmosphere was 
always one of culture and intelligence. His father was a highly educated man, 
who acquired his education in Germany and for two years studied for the 
ministry of the German Lutheran church. He was especially proficient in 
mathematical lines and could readily figure out most difficult problems. Harry 
Bonnen was about seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents to the 
new world, assisting them in the work of the home farm until 1878, when he 
started out in life on his own account. He has since been dependent entirely 
upon his own resources, and his perseverance and diligence constitute the 
basis upon which he has builded his success. After his parents died he 
remained with his brother George for several years or until his marriage. 
Eighteen years ago he purchased his farm of one hundred and sixty acres and 
for a considerable beriod was active in its management and development.

On the 15th of March, 1899, Mr. Bonnen was united in marriage to Miss Mollie 
Gerdes, who was born in Menard county, a daughter of Ubbe and Meta (Oncon) 
Gerdes, who were farming people and came to Ford county in 1873. After 
residing here for three years they removed to Champaign county, where they are 
now living, their home being on a farm near Mayview. Their family numbered 
seven children, namely: Mrs. Bonnen; William, who carries on general 
agricultural pursuits near Urbana, Illinois; Elizabeth, at home; George, who 
follows farming in Dix township; Tena, the wife of Kirk Snedeker, who is 
farming about three-fourths of a mile south of Champaign; Frank, who carries 
on the same pursuit near Urbana, Illinois; and Ernest, at home. Mrs. Bonnen 
acquired her education in the schools of Champaign and Ford counties and by 
her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Bonn H., Charles 
Edward and Leslie V.

Mr. Bonnen now rents his land and the property provides him with a good 
income, obviating the necessity for further labor on his part. His political 
allegiance is given the democracy but he has never sought the honors nor 
emoluments of public office. His fellow townsmen have long known him as a 
representative agriculturist and regard him as a citizen of worth.

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