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Below is a family biography included in The History of Obion County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Hon. Thomas J. Bonner, general merchant, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., July 10, 1848. His father, Charles W. Bonner, was born in Wilson County, Tenn. in 1825, and is a son of Thomas Bonner, a South Corolinian. Charles W. Bonner was a soldier in the Confederate Army, Company G, Second Battalion Tennessee Cavalry, and surrendered at Selma, Ala., in 1865. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary L. Austin, was born in Sumner County, in 1829. Their son, Thomas J., is the eldest of their six children and was raised on a farm and educated at East Fork Academy, in Sumner County. In 1866 he came to Obion County, and settled in the Seventh Civil District, and in 1869 located in Rives. For some time he clerked in a store and received $12.50 per month for his services. At the end of four months his salary was doubled, and the fourth year he received $500 and his board. With the first $1000 of his earnings he bought a farm, which he deeded to his parents during their life time. In 1873 he engaged in general merchandising in Rives, and has been very successfully continued up to the present time. He has been a life-long Democrat, and in 1876 made the race for the Legislature but was defeated. In 1884 he was elected to represent Obion County in the General Assembly. He is a strong advocate of constitutional prohibition and from 1876 to 1882 was postmaster at Rives. In 1880 he married Miss Texie Perkins, of this county, born December 31, 1860. They have three children: Medono, Leiron and Cothon. Mr. Bonner is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 179 biographies included in The History of Obion County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Obion County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee

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