Tom Robinson Bonner, son of Oliver Young Bonner and Sarah Hope Robinson, was born January 8, 1891 at Stewards Mill. He was named Thomas Robinson for his mother's twin brother. However, he was never fond of Uncle Thomas and always insisted that his name was Tom and not Thomas although this was probably his "real name." His brothers called him "Hicks." He often said that he never saw Fairfield until he was eight years old. From this we learned that their farm and the store and church at Stewards Mill supplied their needs. Educated at Burnett's Chapel School, he learned the 3 Rs well; he excelled at math. He received a "Card of Approbation" from his teacher, Anna Mae Pillans, in 1908. Tom's first job "off the farm" was working for A. T. Watson at the Stewards Mill Store. On April 17, 1912, Tom Robinson Bonner and Annie Laura Willard were married. Their first home was rented from Irvine Hale Bonner and just west of John Laird Bonner's home place; their first child, Leslie Lee, was born here. Tom grew cotton. In 1914, they moved a couple of miles away, bought 8 acres, and lived next to Jim Billie and Nannie in what Laura always remembered as a brand new house. While living there, Tom worked as a road foreman for the county in charge of a crew using hoes and shovels to maintain the dirt roads. Both Annie Laura "Baby Doll" and Edd Robinson, who were born here, always referred to this place as "Over Home."

By 1921, Tom and Laura had moved to Fairfield to what became the southwest corner of Highways 75 and 84. The house there was an old one with a hall down the middle and a well inside the back portion.
They lived in the barn on that property while rebuilding the house. Their fourth child and third son, Billie Hugh, was born here. Tom rented the old J. P. Robinson drugstore building at the southeast corner of Commerce and College in Fairfield and opened a general mercantile store which they operated for thirty-six years. When Tom carried the mail between Mexia, Teague and Fairfield for four years, he also ran a "hack" along the route providing rides to those who needed them. Tom also served as Commissioner of Precinct 1, Freestone County for six years. During all this time, he continued in both farming and cattle raising and Laura operated the store. Their youngest child, Tom Bonner, Jr. known as Tuck, was born in Corsicana in 1935. They used every opportunity and every spare dime to purchase land.
Laura was born, raised, and died a Baptist; Tom joined the Presbyterian Church as an adult. When they both attended, they went to the Baptist church. Tom also served as a Director of the Fairfield Hospital and a member of the Fairfield City Council. He was a member of Fairfield Lodge, No. 103, A. F. & A. M, the Scottish Rite, Shine, and Fairfield Chapter No. 331, O.E.S..; Tom fell from his horse on May 5, 1961 at the Tank Pasture directly across the road from his father's birthplace. He never regained consciousness and died at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas.
Tom worked hard all his life. Providing a good life for his family became his mission. As he aged, he began to lose his hair and became bald. This did not dim the twinkle in his blue eyes. His children admired and respected him and his grandchildren adored him. He craved fresh peaches and would buy a bushel to peel and eat spending hours sharing them with his grandchildren. His talent of being able to pinch with his toes amazed. Baby Doll once commented, "Papa insisted that we say 'Papa and Mama' and not anything else because he didn't want us to become citified." An honest and upright man, he enjoyed the respect of many. Nephew Bobby Bonner remembered Tom as having "a sly wit that oozed out of the pores of his skin." He also reported that when the IRS questioned Tom about his store not making enough money, Tom replied, "We're not in business to make money. We're here so my grandchildren can come drink soda water." Tom's and Laura's grandchildren called them PaPaw and MaMaw though the spelling often varied.

In 1949, Galloway Calhoun of Tyler was Imperial Potentate of the Shrine. Tom and Laura attended and rode the train from Texas to New York City where the imperial session was held. They enjoyed themselves immensely and talked about it for the rest of their lives. A road trip to the Davis Mountains of west Texas also provided memories of "the most beautiful place" they had ever been.

In typical Bonner fashion, land was the name of the game for Tom and Laura. The first property they bought was 8 acres from Jim Billie. How they enjoyed owning their first home. Construction of US 75 through Fairfield resulted in the loss of Tom's and Laura's garden. However, this provided opportunities. A Sinclair station soon occupied the northeast corner of their yard. The strip of land east of the new highway provided space for a Gulf station, a café, and a warehouse. These, along with Fairfield Sales Company, a livestock auction sale, operated in partnership with Tom Lindley and run by Sam Manahan, provided income. Tom and Laura also owned property in downtown Fairfield including the building on the south side of the square occupied for many years by Wood's Drug Store and lots on the west side of the square on which were built a medical office for Leslie Bonner, M.D., and Motor Sales Company, an auto supply business. Income was used to buy land and support the family. Land did not come cheap; some documents show 12% interest on some land notes. Tom's cattle carried the brand TRB on their right side or hip.
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(The Fairfield Recorder - Thursday, 11 May 1961 edition - page 1)
Tom Bonner Fatally Injured in Accident
Tom Robinson Bonner, 70, suffered fatal injuries in a fall from a horse at his ranch Friday morning. He was rushed to Baylor Hospital in Dallas and died a few minutes after arriving.
Mr. Bonner was found by his son, Edd Bonner, when he failed to return home at noon. It is believed he was thrown from a horse.
Funeral services were held at Capps Chapel at 4 p.m. Saturday with Dr. L. L. McCutchen, the Rev. James Morgan and the Rev. S. Downey Mills officiating. Interment took place at the Bonner Cemetery near Stewards Mill.
Pallbearers were Ben Bonner, Wilson Bonner, Walter W. Bonner, Bobbie Joe Bonner, Joel Andrew Bonner, and John Lee Bonner.
Mr. Bonner, prominent merchant and rancher here for many years, was a lifelong resident of Freestone County. He was born in the Bonner community January 8, 1891, son of the late Oliver Y. Bonner and Sallie Hope Robinson Bonner. He was married to Miss Laura Willard April 17, 1912.
The deceased was a member of the city council and a director of the Freestone County Hospital since its organization in 1947. He was a member of the Fairfield Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. He was also a member of Fairfield Harmony Presbyterian Church.
Survivors are his wife of Fairfield; four sons, Dr. L. L. Bonner, Edd Bonner, Hugh Bonner, and Tom Bonner, Jr., all of Fairfield; one daughter, Mrs. Forrest Wood of Teague; 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; five brothers, John L. Bonner, Joel Bonner, Hunter Bonner, Paul Bonner, all of Fairfield, and Sneed Bonner of Franklin; other relatives and a host of friends.
Capps Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

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