Lamar Democrat August 5, 1897
Last Monday at five minutes past twelve, our friend, Hiram Bonney, departed this life for "that bourne whence no traveler returns". He had been feeble for some time, yet able to attend to little matters at home. His age made it improbable that he could recover or ever grow strong again. His faithful helpmate was ever attendant upon his wants. His last days were cheered and his pathway to the River made smooth by her willing heart and hands. He was a devout member of the Congregational Church of this city, and was prepared for the life to come and ready to go at any time. The funeral services were held at the family residence Tuesday afternoon, at four o'clock, Rev. Hunt of the Methodist Church officiating; after which the remains were interred at Lake Cemetery, accompanied by a large concourse of friends. The pallbearers were A.C. Gardner, E.L. Elam, H.B. Allen, J.K. Anderson, J.P. Weddell and W.V. Tobias. Mr. Bonney was born April 22, 1817 at Farmington, Maine. He was the seventh of twelve children. He grew to manhood, at the place of his birth, and from there went to Boston, where he engaged in the dry goods business for a number of years. In the early forties he went south, spending about two years carpentering in Mississippi and New Orleans. Then he went to Davenport, Iowa where he engaged in the contracting business for a short time. He next located to Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he entered, cleared up and broke a tract of land and engaged in farming. It was here that he married Miss Carrie Gay, July 12, 1854. Of this union two children were born, a son and a daughter. The son, Gay Bonney, survives and is now a respected resident of this city. In 1866, Mr. Bonney moved to Rockford, Illinois where he resided two years, moving back to Wisconsin and locating in Lafayette county. Here his wife died December 10, 1871. On June 30, 1873, he was married to Miss Jane Miller who survives him, and who is left alone to mourn his loss; but her love of Christ and her faith in the promis of the good book have given her a cheerful and hopeful heart. No children were born of this last marriage. Mr. Bonney with his family moved to Lamar in 1877, where he resided ever since, making one of the best and most respected citizens.