"Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1903. p. 553. T. L. BONNEY Those who are interested in the growth and progress of Oregon, and who have studied the causes which have led up there to, will readily recognize the fact that the men who have come here and laid the foundation for her success and development have been men of versatility, men of enterprise and men who can not only till the soil, thus inducing nature to bring forth her richest gifts, but who can also turn their hands to many industries, taking part in manufacturing the different articles of commercial use which are very necessary in a new country and which when brought from a distance become very expensive. Numbered among the men who have aided substantially in the upbuilding of Marion county is T. L. Bonney, who has followed the coopering business practically all his life, and who is now living somewhat retired, following his trade during the winter season and leaving the supervision of a large farm, which he owns, to his sons. Mr. Bonney was born February 14, 1835, in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and is a son of Jarius Bonney, a native of Canada, who removed to Ohio with his people when a young man and learned the cooper's trade in the latter state. In that state also Mr. Bonney became acquainted with Miss Lamed and made her his wife. Four children were born unto them, all of whom are now deceased. After the death of his first wife Mr. Bonney married Jane Elkins, a native of New York. They made their home in Ohio until 1836, when they removed to Illinois, settling in Fulton county, where they continued to live until 1845. Mr. Bonney then decided to bring his family to the northwest. They therefore started across the plains, joining a company under the conduct of Captain Welch, of Oregon City. At that time the country was very wild and Indians were numerous, and very often hostile, but the company were unmolested during this journey, which occupied six months. Arriving on the Pacific coast the Bonney family first took up their abode in California, where they remained through the following winter and spring. In 1846 they came by pack train to Oregon, taking up a donation claim on French Prairie, two miles east of Hubbard. This tract consisted of three hundred and twenty acres, mostly of wild and unimproved land. Mr. Bonney, senior, made many improvements upon this farm, building a large and substantial log house, in which he lived until his death, in 1856. In addition to his agricultural pursuits he followed the cooper's trade for about thirty years, and was the first cooper on French Prairie, making the first barrels and kegs ever made in this vicinity. After the father's death the mother took up her residence with Mr. Bonney, of this review, with whom she lived for several years, removing thence to the home of her daughter in eastern Oregon, where she died at the age of seventy-eight years. T. L. Bonney received his education in the district schools and in the early years of his manhood took up the cooper's trade, assisting his father and remaining upon the farm until his marriage in 1860, the lady of his choice being Tennessee Baker. She was born in Missouri and with her parents came to Oregon in 1852, settling in Clackamas county. Her brothers are now living in Albany. Mr. Bonney and his bride began their housekeeping on the old home farm, she proving a faithful helpmate to her husband, and as the years have gone by has aided in acquiring a competency through her industry and economy. Mr. Bonney, too, has spent his life in an energetic and painstaking way, making varied improvements and adding all modern equipment and accessories to his farm until it is now one of the most attractive and highly cultivated in the vicinity. It comprises seventy-five acres, forty acres of which is under cultivation and used in raising grain, while fourteen acres are devoted to the growing of hops. Mr. Bonney has left the care and management of his farm to his sons, who, having been reared upon the home farm have become fitted for its conduct and supervision. On the home place are found good frame dwellings, comfortably and commodiously built, as well as other out-buildings necessary for the protection of grain and stock, and the home of Mr. Bonney and his family has every appearance of comfort and happiness. He has been blessed with the following children : Preston L. and Edward L., now deceased ; Mary E., wife of M. H. Lee. of Canby ; William H., of Redland; Jane O., the wife of M. Pulley, a resident of Marion county, in the vicinity of Hubbard; Lawrence, now residing in Oak Point, Wash.: Ira A. and Albert E., of Hubbard and Charles, at home. Although Mr. Bonney has ever been a busy man, he has yet found time to be of public service to the community in which he resides. As a member of the school board for many years. his influence has always been extended in behalf of education, while his religious views are shown by his membership since 1860 with the United Brethren Church, in which he is trustee. In politics he is a Republican. A man of integrity and honor, the life record of T. L. Bonney forms an interesting chapter in the annals of Marion county, and the methods by which he has achieved success are well worthy of emulation. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2012 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.