Hugh Bonner was born in Ireland and came to the United States while still a boy. Bonner joined one of the volunteer companies, Engine 40, quickly becoming its Foreman. When the paid Department was organized in 1865 he was accepted for employment and carried over his rank of Foreman in Engine Company 20. In 1873 he became a Battalion Chief in charge of Battalion 2. He rose through the ranks becoming a Second Assistant Chief in 1883, First Assistant Chief in 1884 and was made Chief of Department in 1889.
Chief Bonner had a curious habit. He kept an unlit cigar in his mouth while combating a blaze and upon declaring the fire "under control" he would light up the cigar and thoroughly enjoy it!
He served as Chief of Department until 1899 when he was replaced by Chief Edward Croker. It was long believed that Croker's appointment was a political one based on his relationship to his uncle Richard Croker, head of the Tammany Hall political machine. In 1902, President Roosevelt tapped Bonner to become Chief of the Manila (Philippines) Fire Department. The United States took possession of the Philippines after its victory against Spain in 1898. Bonner spent two years in that island nation organizing its fire service.
Reverend James LeBaron Johnson endowed a medal in the name of Chief Bonner in 1897. It is awarded annually. In his endowment, Rev. Johnson referred to Bonner as, "a stalwart Chief of Department who preferred to rule by example."
Not long after his return to the United States, he was called into the service of the FDNY again as Deputy Commissioner in 1906 and was appointed Commissioner in 1908. Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia only four months later. Perhaps his final act as Commissioner was to replace the aged, rotten hose throughout the Department which was believed to have contributed to the fatalities of two firefighters and one Fire Patrolman at the Parker Building fire that year.
Chief Bonner had a curious habit. He kept an unlit cigar in his mouth while combating a blaze and upon declaring the fire "under control" he would light up the cigar and thoroughly enjoy it!
He served as Chief of Department until 1899 when he was replaced by Chief Edward Croker. It was long believed that Croker's appointment was a political one based on his relationship to his uncle Richard Croker, head of the Tammany Hall political machine. In 1902, President Roosevelt tapped Bonner to become Chief of the Manila (Philippines) Fire Department. The United States took possession of the Philippines after its victory against Spain in 1898. Bonner spent two years in that island nation organizing its fire service.
Reverend James LeBaron Johnson endowed a medal in the name of Chief Bonner in 1897. It is awarded annually. In his endowment, Rev. Johnson referred to Bonner as, "a stalwart Chief of Department who preferred to rule by example."
Not long after his return to the United States, he was called into the service of the FDNY again as Deputy Commissioner in 1906 and was appointed Commissioner in 1908. Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia only four months later. Perhaps his final act as Commissioner was to replace the aged, rotten hose throughout the Department which was believed to have contributed to the fatalities of two firefighters and one Fire Patrolman at the Parker Building fire that year.
Hugh Bonner was born in Ireland and came to the United States while still a boy. Bonner joined one of the volunteer companies, Engine 40, quickly becoming its Foreman. When the paid Department was organized in 1865 he was accepted for employment and carried over his rank of Foreman in Engine Company 20. In 1873 he became a Battalion Chief in charge of Battalion 2. He rose through the ranks becoming a Second Assistant Chief in 1883, First Assistant Chief in 1884 and was made Chief of Department in 1889.
Chief Bonner had a curious habit. He kept an unlit cigar in his mouth while combating a blaze and upon declaring the fire "under control" he would light up the cigar and thoroughly enjoy it!
He served as Chief of Department until 1899 when he was replaced by Chief Edward Croker. It was long believed that Croker's appointment was a political one based on his relationship to his uncle Richard Croker, head of the Tammany Hall political machine. In 1902, President Roosevelt tapped Bonner to become Chief of the Manila (Philippines) Fire Department. The United States took possession of the Philippines after its victory against Spain in 1898. Bonner spent two years in that island nation organizing its fire service.
Reverend James LeBaron Johnson endowed a medal in the name of Chief Bonner in 1897. It is awarded annually. In his endowment, Rev. Johnson referred to Bonner as, "a stalwart Chief of Department who preferred to rule by example."
Not long after his return to the United States, he was called into the service of the FDNY again as Deputy Commissioner in 1906 and was appointed Commissioner in 1908. Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia only four months later. Perhaps his final act as Commissioner was to replace the aged, rotten hose throughout the Department which was believed to have contributed to the fatalities of two firefighters and one Fire Patrolman at the Parker Building fire that year.
Chief Bonner had a curious habit. He kept an unlit cigar in his mouth while combating a blaze and upon declaring the fire "under control" he would light up the cigar and thoroughly enjoy it!
He served as Chief of Department until 1899 when he was replaced by Chief Edward Croker. It was long believed that Croker's appointment was a political one based on his relationship to his uncle Richard Croker, head of the Tammany Hall political machine. In 1902, President Roosevelt tapped Bonner to become Chief of the Manila (Philippines) Fire Department. The United States took possession of the Philippines after its victory against Spain in 1898. Bonner spent two years in that island nation organizing its fire service.
Reverend James LeBaron Johnson endowed a medal in the name of Chief Bonner in 1897. It is awarded annually. In his endowment, Rev. Johnson referred to Bonner as, "a stalwart Chief of Department who preferred to rule by example."
Not long after his return to the United States, he was called into the service of the FDNY again as Deputy Commissioner in 1906 and was appointed Commissioner in 1908. Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia only four months later. Perhaps his final act as Commissioner was to replace the aged, rotten hose throughout the Department which was believed to have contributed to the fatalities of two firefighters and one Fire Patrolman at the Parker Building fire that year.
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