"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a
compilation of this work....by a number of writers".  Chapman Publishing Co;
Chicago, 1903. p. 497.
 
CLINTON BONSER

     The passing of Clinton Bonser from the scene of his agricultural and
general activity in Multnomah county, February 27, 1902, is of so recent date,
that his successes and personal characteristics are still vividly recalled by
his many friends and associates. Mr. Bonser was a Kentuckian by birth, and when
a mere lad was taken by his parents to a farm in Ohio, where he lived until
twenty-three years of age. His youth was uneventful, the greater part being
spent in hard farm work, and a small part in attendance at the district schools.
     It is not surprising that the opportunity to come west appeared an
enchanting possibility to the overworked farmer lad, and that he gladly improved
the chance to drive a pair of oxen across the plains for another man. On
Sauvie's Island, in the Columbia river, lived his paternal uncle, John Bonser,
who had crossed the plains in '47. Thither went the young man, and for some time
made his home with his relative. From 1855 until 1856 he served in the Oregon
Volunteer Infantry, participating in hostilities until the close of the Yakima
war. In the latter part of 1856 he was united in marriage with Mary A. McQuinn,
who was born April 12, 1840, and who crossed the plains with her parents in
1844, settling in Washington county, Ore. After his marriage Mr. Bonser started
up his little farming establishment on Sauvie's Island, upon land which he had
taken up some time previously, and lived there until purchasing the farm upon
which his wife now lives, located on the edge of Multnomah and Columbia
counties, and here Mrs. Bonser and her son, John A., carry on the farm and
dairy. No wilder region could be imagined than this same timbered land, upon
which, no improvement had as yet been made, and where the settlers lived for a
time among the crudest and most inconvenient conditions. Where now ply all
manner of water craft, busy with the immense business of mills and farms, was
then a very silent river, down which Mr. Bonser used to go with a row boat,
bringing back with him from Portland such products as were required in the
housekeeping among the protecting timberlands. In the early days he cut about
two thousand cords of wood from his land, which he sold to the steamers plying
the river. Mr. Bonser made many improvements on his land, and managed to save
considerable property and to leave to those dependent on him a well-conditioned
and valuable estate, as well as the memory of a kindly, affectionate and
thoroughly humane nature.
     A Democrat in political affiliation, Mr. Bonser took an active interest in
the political undertakings in his neighborhood and county, and filled some local
positions of trust and responsibility. He was above all else the friend and
promoter of education, and although his own youth had been somewhat destitute of
educational chances, that fact made him all the more solicitous for the welfare
of others. Of the nine children born to himself and wife the following are
living: Alexander, of Portland; Robert C., of Portland; Eva I., a teacher; Viola
A., of Portland; and John A., living at home and managing the home farm. Since
the death of her husband, Mrs. Bonser has continued to live on the property
improved by him, which consists of two hundred and fourteen acres. General
farming and dairying are maintained, and about twenty cows are milked daily.


*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2009 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.