Biographies: Alfred P. BONNOT, Eau Claire, Eau Claire Co., WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nance Sampson 30 November 1999 ==================================================================== Alfred P. Bonnet, secretary and treasurer of the William Furniture Company, of Eau Claire, was born at Black River Falls, Wisconsin, July 16, 1859, the son of Peter and Felicia (Rofinot) Bonnot, and is of French descent. His father who was born in France, came to America with his parents when a young man, and located at Syracuse, New York, where he learned the wagon makers' trade, and later conducted the business. He came west to Black River Falls, and for many years was engaged in business there. After his retirement, he moved to McCook, Nebraska, where he died in 1900 at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, who was Felicia Rofinot, daughter of Peter Fofinot, of Chicago, Illinois, died in 1890. They were the parents of two children: Alfred P., and Clara who resides in the state of Washington. Alfred P. grew to manhood in this state, receiving his education in the public schools of Augusta, where he remained until 1879. In the last named year he went to Iowa, and for two and one-half years was employed as brakeman by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He then went to Nebraska and was in the employ of the Chicago, Burnlington & Quincy Railroad for twenty- four years, three years as brakeman and twenty-one years as passenger conductor, continuing in their employ until 1907, and during this time he ran from McCook east to Hastings, Nebraska, and west to Denver, Colorado. He was one of the faithful, trustworthy and honorable employes, and at the time of his resignation, was one of the oldest conductors in point of service on the Burlington road. In 1907 Mr. Bonnot became connected with the Williams Furniture Company as secretary and treasurer, and is one of the largest stockholders in the concern. He devotes his entire time to the success of the business, and is one of Eau Claire's enterprising, progressive and up-to-date business men. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Order of Railroad Conductors at McCook, Neb., and the Catholic church. He married Dora N. Williams, daughter of Lucius L. and Elvira A. (Searle) Williams. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonnot have been born three children: Antoinette aged twelve and one son and one daughter who died in infancy. --Taken from "The History of Eau Claire County, 1914, Past & Present", pages 653-654.