JAMES L. BONHAM - Biography

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Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 507-508


JAMES L. BONHAM, a leading and prominent attorney of Baraboo [Sauk County], 
WI, is one of the native citizens of Sauk County, his birth having occurred 
in Troy Township, 28 Aug 1862. His parents were George and Ruhamah E. 
(JACOBY) BONHAM. The father was born in Buckinghamshire, England, 15 Oct 
1821, and in his native land he learned the trade of baker and also worked as 
a common laborer. While a young man he became interested in religious [p 
508] matters and was made a licensed preacher in the Methodist church. As 
early as 1835 he came to the U. S. and first located near Mansfield [Richland 
or Hamilton County?], OH. A few years later he became of the pioneers of 
Sauk County, WI, locating on a farm in Troy Township. He took an active part 
in organizing the Methodist church in this section and often officiated at 
funerals and on other occasions when no regular minister was at hand, his 
services always being gratuitously given. He also took an active interest in 
organizing and maintaining good schools, though he himself never attended 
school but 18 days. He was, however, a natural orator and a tireless student 
who kept himself well informed on the leading topics and questions of the 
day. He died 04 Sep 1892, honored and respected by all who knew him. His 
widow is still living in Spring Green [Sauk County, WI], at the age of 63 
years. She was born in Stark County, OH, of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage, 
and was married 05 May 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. BONHAM the following children 
were born: (1) Susan E., who married Benjamin YOUNG and is now deceased; 
(2) Hollis G., who died near Nelson [County], ND; (3) Pheobe A., wife of 
Amos D. HENRY, of Kempton [Grand Forks County], ND; (4) Lucy L., wife of W. 
H. PALMER, of Marshall [Lyon County], MN; (5) James L., our subject; (6) 
John E., a farmer of Troy Township, Sauk County; and (7) William B., who 
operates the homestead farm.

After leaving the common schools James L. BONHAM entered Lawrence University, 
Appleton [Outagamie County], WI, where he pursued a scientific course and was 
graduated with the class of 1889. He then matriculated in the law school of 
the State University at Madison [Dane County, WI], and was graduated from 
that institution in 1891. He at once opened an office in Baraboo [Sauk 
County, WI]and has since successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen 
profession, making a specialty of probate law. Soon after coming here he was 
appointed police justice of the city, which office he most creditably filled 
until the fall of 1897, when he was appointed justice of the peace, for the 
first ward.

On 15 Jan 1895 Mr. BONHAM was united in marriage with Miss M. Grace STANLEY, 
a native of Baraboo [Sauk County, WI] and a daughter of William STANLEY, a 
leading citizen of that place, and they now have a little daughter, Mabel L. 
They attend the Methodist church, where Mr. BONHAM has sung in the choir for 
many years. He is also second tenor in the Columbian Male Quartet, an 
organization of considerable local repute, which is engaged for many public 
occasions throughout the state. He is a prominent member of Baraboo Lodge, 
No. 47, Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed through all the principal 
chairs and has recently been elected chancellor commander. He is also 
captain of the Uniform Rank of Knights of Pythias, and a member of Baraboo 
Lodge, No. 34, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. Since attaining his majority 
he has affiliated with the Republican party and has stumped the county in 
three different campaigns, speaking in nearly every voting precinct. Genial 
and affable in manner, he makes many friends and has the happy faculty of 
being able to retain them.