bONEBRAKE, Ezra Ennis - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Ezra Bonebrake, the youngest son of Henry Devault and Cordelia Carter Bone brake was born at Big Platt, New York October 12, 1858 and departed this life at Danville, Ill April 15, 1923, aged 64 years 6 months and 3 days.  Last Saturday he left home to visit his brother, Oliver living at Danville, Ill and his sister, Zelphia Rutherford of Joliet, Ill who has been seriously ill for some time with a throat paralysis and had requested the vis it of her brothers.  He was taken ill that night at the home of his broth er in Danville with an attack of heart trouble, his sister-in-law finding him struggling to get up at 2 o'clock at night. In spite of the doctors administrations he passed away having been conscious to the las t, at 9 o'clock Sunday morning.  When a boy of 14 his parents moved to Fowler, where they lived nearly all their life. The father was killed early in their residence here by falling from the roof of a one story addition to the home, and breaking his neck, since which time he had been the constant companion and support of his mother, until her death a short time a go at a very advanced age.  In his youth he was considered "one of the town beaus" and when long drooping mustaches were in flower, was conspicuous for the care of his toilet.  It has always been rumored that he became embittered and something of a recluse because of the sudden death of the girl that he was soon to marry at that time.  He established himself as a photographer in an early day here and conducted a thriving business for many years.  He also learned the details of the engraving business and with the simplest equipment made many engraving of the homes and business men of Fowler at the commencement of this century, a surprising proof of his technical ability and ingenuity.  He left Fowler along about 190 3-5 and worked at his trade as a photographer a good many years in Indiana polis where for a time he was staff photographer on the Indianapolis News.  Several years ago he and his mother returned to their Fowler home, where he spent most of his time in attendance upon her and the cultivation of flowers, of which they were both very fond.  He is survived by his brother, Oliver of Danville, his sister, Zelphia Rutherford of Joliet and four nephews and one niece.  In June 1922, he was married to Miss Mary Countryman of Chicago but after moving to Fowler the romance faded and she returned to Chicago and disappeared into the great city again.  So far as known no court proceedings had been held to sever the bonds.  The body was brought to Fowler Wednesday and taken to the home where services were conducted by Rev. Bishop at 2 p.m. The body was escorted to its last resting place by the Odd Fellows lodge, of which he was a member and who conducted the service at the grave under their ritual.