My Genealogy Hound

Edward Bonner was born in Spartanburg District, S. C, in 1841, being the son of Andrew and Louisa Bonner, also natives of that State. Young Edward remained in the vicinity of his birthplace until grown to manhood, receiving but limited advantages for an education, and attending school only a portion of each year. When nineteen years of age he assumed charge of his father’s farm, and after the latter’s death remained with his mother, conducting her business in a most satisfactory manner. When twenty years old he enlisted in the Confederate army in Company G, Fifth South Carolina Regiment, under Capt. Carpenter, commanded by Col. Jenkins, and participated in the first battle of Manassas, but being taken ill shortly after, he was detailed to manage the Magnetic iron works, located at Cherokee Ford, S. C. This was one of the most important branches of industry in connection with the Southern cause. Mr. Bonner remained in this position until the close of the war, after which he commenced business as a merchant at Limestone Springs, S. C. After one year, at his mother’s earnest solicitation, he returned to her home and resumed control of her extensive business. In 1869 he was married to Miss Julia G., daughter of Elijah and Julia (Ray) Harris, and their marriage has been blessed with three interesting children: Edward L., Carl Ray and Erma. The oldest child, Edward, is a promising young man, and bids fair to be a leader among men, standing intellectually far above the average, a young man whose example is worthy of imitation. Mr. Bonner moved to St. Francis County in 1874, locating in Forrest City, and four years later was appointed postmaster at that place, serving in that capacity for five years, and also as agent for the Southern Express Company. The change of administration in 1883, or President Garfield’s reign, caused his removal from the position of postmaster. Since leaving the office Mr. Bonner has been merchandising, and is at present managing the cooperative store at Forrest City inaugurated by the people for their benefit. The stock is valued at $45,000 and under his efficient control is rapidly increasing in value, and is one of the city’s leading enterprises. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and in religious faith a Baptist, as is also his wife. Mr. Bonner is a liberal contributor to all charitable movements, and, in fact, every act that betokens the good or growth of the county finds him a stanch supporter. Previous to the war his parents were quite wealthy, but the ravages incident to that period robbed them of nearly everything, their land being about all they possessed. The paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, born near Petersburg, but afterward moving to South Carolina, died there at the age of sixty-three. The maternal grandfather was Joseph Camp, of South Carolina nativity, who was called to his final home at a very advanced age. Mrs. Bonner’s father was Rev. Elijah Ray, a Baptist minister of South Carolina. Her mother’s father, Col. William Washington Harris, a native of North Carolina, was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving as colonel in the volunteer service, and died at the age of eighty-eight years. He was one of the first settlers of Spartanburg, S. C.