Bonnell - John - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

John R. Bonnell, who in addition to being postmaster at Crawfordsville is chairman of the Montgomery County Republican committee and is one of the best-known politicians in the 9th district was in town yesterday and visited state committee headquarters to pass the compliments of the day with Chairman Hernly. Mr. Bonnell was raised in Montgomery County and knows the political history of the county thoroughly. He has always been very popular in his county and with many of the older inhabitants it is always “Johny” Bonnell, instead of Postmaster of Mr. Bonnell. The next political event of importance to take place in Crawfordsville is the meeting of the 9th district republicans to select delegates to the national convention. The time for this meeting was set for April 4 but District Chairman Sims of Frankfort has announced the convention will be held a week or two later than the original date. The most prominent of the candidates are James L. Allen of Covington, Will H. Craig of Noblesville and Mr. Marker of Tipton. Ralph Kane of Noblesville and Robert Harrison of Lebanon are candidates for the place of elector. Mr. Bonnell says the Montgomery County organization was never in better shape. He says that the happiest thing about the situation in that county is that there are no factions. There have been times when this could not be said about Montgomery County.  As compared with some counties, Montgomery County Republicans have taken a unique attitude toward the Porto Rice questions. Mr. Bonnell says that with one or two exceptions the Republicans of the county are satisfied to let the administration at Washington take care of the Porto Rican tariff question. Montgomery County Republicans argue that the administration should be allowed to work out this problem unhampered by criticism. They figure, he says that the people at Washington know best what is good for the Porto Ricans.

Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Indianapolis: Chapman Brother, 1893, p. 467.

John R. BONNELL, the present Postmaster of the city of Crawfordsville, is one of the most obliging officials that this city has ever had. Mr. Bonnell was born six miles east of this city Oct 2, 1858 in the village of Fredericksburg now the town of Mace. He was the son of John K and Emily (Benedict) Bonnell who were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Bonnell, Sr. was a native of Hamilton County Ohio and came to Montgomery County, Indiana in 1857. With Reuben Smith as a partner he opened a wagon-making shop and continued in the business a long time. He was City Treasurer three terms. He was eminently successful on account of the same genial, social qualities for which his son is noted. John Bonnell received a comman school education and at the age of 13 began to clerk in a store. From 1872 to 1878 he remained with the firm of Challis Brothers and with JR Challis at Lafayette, Logansport and Crawfordsville in the boot and shoe business. In 1878 Mr. Bonnell concluded he would learn what he cuold accomplish in the way of business for himself, therefore he opened a small store for the sale of cigars. His capital amounted for $105 and he continued in this business until 1890 when the trade had become very large. For five years he had engaged in jobbing and made money, the sales reaching $40,000 per annum. Since 1890 Mr. Bonnell has been engaged in the jobbing grocery business also. In this new venture Mr. Bonnell showed the same good judgment which has always characterized his business life, having selected as partners men concerning whose business qualifications he was very sure. The grocery stock is large and complete with the exception of coffee and sugar; the sales amount to $140,000 annually and the house requires several traveling men, one new salesman having just been added. The apopintment of Postmaster was made Aug 23, 1889 and in September Mr. Bonnell took charge and made JH Cook, a veteran soldier, his first assistant, and JD Tracy, another veteran, his second assistant. Besides there, he has a delivery and stamping clerk, four carriers, and one substitute. The office receipts amount to over $14,000 per year. Mr. Bonnell has given great satisfaction and has thoroughly conquered all the details of the business. He is adherent of Harrison's administration and is a member of the Republican County and Executive Committees. The marriage of Mr. Bonnell took place April 17, 1879 to Miss Fanny Evans of Lafayette, who was the daughte rof IA Evans of that place. One little daughter, Helen, a maid of 4 years, brightens their home. Mr. Bonnell has been very active in the Masonic fraternity and has filled the post of Eminent Commander of Crawfordsville Commandery, No. 25. Mr. Bonnell has exemplified in his career the results of close application and energy to any given object. His beginning was very small, but now it reaches mammoth proportions, all because he has managed his business instead of permitting it to manage him. -- typed by kbz