Freestone County, Texas
Biographies




Biography of James Willis Bonner
           (23 Feb 1862-1 Dec 1948, buried Mexia City Cemetery)

Mexia Weekly Herald, Friday, July 12, 1935 edition - Page 4

  From J. W. [James Willis] Bonner, Mexia, comes this sketch of a pioneer.  He
  was born February 23, 1862 at Woodland, in Freestone County, now known as
  Kirven.  "What little education I have got, he said, "it was at Woodland,
  except a business course my parents sent me off to take.  Have kept books in
  stores, in two different banks in Wortham six years, they moved to Mexia,
  kept books for Bonner and Wortham Hardware one year, they moved back to
  Wortham, stayed a few years then moved back to Mexia to finish the children's
  schooling and work for C. B. Edwards Dry Goods store and was manager of the
  store four years till he quit business.  Since then [I] have been too old to
  get a job.  My wife and I have raised six children, all grown and married and
  living, for which we are very thankful.  This includes my wife's history as
  she has been with me.  We were married when I was twenty seven years old.  I
  will be seventy four years old the 23rd of next February" - J. W. Bonner.
    Both Mr. and Mrs. Bonner are members of the Pioneer Club and fine folks.