Elisah married Catherine Dustheimer, a daughter of the very early pioneers of Licking Co, Johannes and Mary Magdalene PRILL Dustheimer.

From a History of Bowling Green Twp., Marion Co., Ohio dated 1883.

"[Son of] Elisha L. and Catherine (Dusthemer) Bonham, [was born August 18, 1815], in Licking County, Ohio. The parents [Elisha and Catherine Dustheimer Bonham] were of English and French extraction and natives of Maryland and Virginia. They emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, where he [Elisha] subsequently served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and helped to build the "block-house" at Mansfield, Ohio. He was born February 29, 1774, and died October 22, 1858. His wife, Catherine, was born August 6, 1792, and died September 25, 1855. They settled in Bowling Green Township in October, 1838, and lived there until their death. Their children are Harrison, Amanda M., Oliver P., Jacob, Sarah, Mary, Harvey, Lydia, Huldah and Hiram, all of whom are living. Eliza, Elisha and Andrew are deceased."

Elisha and Catheriene had three children by the time of the 1820 census in Licking Co., Ohio. and had a published total of 14 children. Elisha's published birth date of 1774 is consistent with all the census records below (1820, 1840, and 1850).

History of the cemetery:

"Directly across from the old home of John Dever Guthery, Sr., who was the second son of Joseph and Hannah Dever Guthery, in Bowling Green township, Marion County, Ohio, is an old cemetery - the Guthery Cemetery, where many Gutherys and their kin lie. Once, just adjoining this cemetery, a church stood, and next to it a store, and on down the line other buildings, making a village that was called Parr Town. It did not flourish because, when LaRue was settled with its railroad and outlet to markets, Parr Town died utterly. But once it was center for township trade."

Supporting census data:

1820 United States Federal Census

Name: Elisha Bonham

Township: Licking

County: Licking

State: Ohio

Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820

Free White Males - Under 10: 2

Free White Males - 45 and over: 1

Free White Females - Under 10: 1

Free White Females - 26 thru 44: 1

Free White Persons - Under 16: 3

Free White Persons - Over 25: 2

Total Free White Persons: 5

Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 5

Source Citation: 1820 U S Census: Licking, Licking, Ohio, Page: 20A; NARA Roll: M33_94; Image: 34.

1840 United States Federal Census

Name: Elisha L Bonham

Township: Marion

County: Marion

State: Ohio

Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1

Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1

Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 2

Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: 1 [Elisha]

Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 3

Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1

Total - All Persons (Free White, Free Colored, Slaves): 9

Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1

Free White Persons - Under 20: 5

Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3

Total Free White Persons: 9

Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 9

Source Citation: Year: 1840; Census Place: Marion, Marion, Ohio; Roll 98; Page: 411; Image: 781; Family History Library Film: 0020171.

1850 United States Federal Census

Name: Elisha Bonham

Age: 76

Estimated birth year: abt 1774

Birth Place: Virginia

Gender: Male

Home in 1850 Bowling Green, Marion, Ohio

Elisha Bonham 76

Catharine Bonham 57

Jacob Bonham 31

Lydia Bonham 24

Eliza Bonham 23

Huldah Bonham 20

Hiram Bonham 19 Hiram H. 50399497

Mary A Bonham 0

Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Bowling Green, Marion, Ohio; Roll M432_708; Page: 28A; Image: 61.