Multnomah-Columbia County OR Archives Biographies.....Bonser, Robert C. December 24, 1859 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 7, 2009, 6:09 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     ROBERT C. BONSER.  One of the oldest surveyors in Multnomah county is 
Robert C. Bonser, who has been engaged in this line of work for over forty 
years and for the past fourteen years has filled the office of county surveyor 
in an able and satisfactory manner. Mr. Bonser was born at Willow Bar, 
Columbia County, Oregon, on the 24th of December, 1859, and is a son of 
Clinton and Mary Ann (McQuinn) Bonser. His father was born in Covington, 
Kentucky and in 1852 crossed the plains to Oregon, locating on Sauvie's 
island, where he took up a homestead. In 1863 he moved to Scappoose, where he 
spent his remaining years, his death occurring in February, 1902. He became a 
man of prominence and influence in his community and served a number of years 
as a member of the school board. His wife was born in Andrew county, Missouri, 
and was a daughter of Alexander H. McQuinn, who brought his family across the 
plains to Oregon in 1844. He took up a donation land claim on Sauvie's island, 
where he lived until 1849, when he went to California and was engaged in 
mining until 1851, when he returned to his homestead, where he lived until his 
death, in 1869. He was an expert mechanic and wagonmaker, owning the first 
blacksmith shop on the island, and was also active in the affairs of the 
community, having served for many years as a justice of the peace.

     Robert C. Bonser received his educational training in the country public 
schools and the old Harrison street public school, in Portland, and graduated 
from the Portland Business College in 1881. He studied civil engineering under 
William Gilbert, and in 1887 he entered the employ of the civil engineering 
firm of McQuinn & Hurlburt. This was good training for him, for he was engaged 
in all kinds of surveying, including railroads and subdivisions. In 1902 Mr. 
Bonser formed a partnership with Philo Holbrook and opened a civil engineering 
office in Portland, the association continuing until 1906, when Mr. Holbrook 
was elected county surveyor. In July, 1905, Mr. Bonser took charge of the 
surveyor's office as deputy county surveyor, serving in that capacity until 
1914, when he was elected county surveyor, in which position he has served to 
the present time, and is in 1928 a candidate for reelection. He is recognized 
as a man of unusual capability in his profession, has applied himself 
faithfully to the duties of his office and has earned the respect of all who 
have had dealings with him.

     On December 14, 1898, Mr. Bonser was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. 
Preston, who was born in Portland, Oregon, and whose father, Jeremiah Preston, 
was a pioneer steamboat captain. Mr. Bonser is a stanch republican in his 
political affiliation and is a member of the Woodmen of the World. One of his 
great-uncles, John Bonser, came to Oregon in 1847 and took up a donation claim 
in Multnomah county. Mr. Bonser has always been deeply interested in the 
progress and prosperity of his city and county and no project for its 
advancement has lacked his support. His fine official record, his upright life 
and his kindly and unaffected manner have won for him an enviable place in 
public esteem.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 648-649

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