CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  THOMAS R. BONNER - Smith County, TX

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Submitted by Peggy Brannon - peggybrannon@hotmail.com
17 November 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

THOMAS R. BONNER

Thomas R. Bonner, of Tyler, was a native of Holmes county, Miss., born 
September 11, 1838. He moved with his parents to Rusk, Cherokee 
county,Texas, in November, 1849, and for the next four years worked in a 
printing office and studied. From 1854 to 1861 he had charge of his father's 
farm. In April, 1862, he was elected captain of Co. C, 18th Texas Infantry, 
becoming major in 1863, and the following year lieutenant-colonel and then 
colonel. He saw active service until the close of the war, and then 
returning to Rusk studied law with his brother, Judge M. B. Bonner, and was 
his partner for five years in the practice. In 1872 he removed to Tyler and 
entered the banking business. He was in the legislature in 1866, and in 1876 
was elected from Smith county and was chosen Speaker of the House, making an 
admirable presiding officer. At the time of his death, in 1891, Colonel 
Bonner was the leading banker of East Texas and was also receiver for the I. 
& G. N. Ry. Co. He was Grand Master of Masons in Texas, and a member of the 
Methodist Church, South. Col. Bonner andhis wife, who was Miss Mary 
Davenport, had two children, Thomas D. and Herndon, both bright young 
business men of Tyler.