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West Benson Bonnifield

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Birth	:	23 Feb 1827 Randolph County, West Virginia, USA
Death	:	9 Aug 1908 Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Clover Leaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.5698200, -74.2948700
Description	:	West Benson Bonnifield BONNIFIELD, THRALL, INSKEEP, BROOKS, BENSON Posted By: Mary Lanigan (email) Date: 4/22/2008 at 13:31:03 WEST BENSON BONNIFIELD, the leading banker of Ottumwa, was born in Randolph county, Virginia, on the 23d of February, 1827. His great-great-grandfather, Luke Bonnifield, was a native of England, and on his arrival in this country settled where the city of Washington, District of Columbia, now stands. There the family continued to reside until the grandfather of our subject, Samuel Bonnifield, removed to Hampshire county, Virginia, where Rhodham Bonnifield, the father of our subject, was born... Read More	West Benson Bonnifield BONNIFIELD, THRALL, INSKEEP, BROOKS, BENSON Posted By: Mary Lanigan (email) Date: 4/22/2008 at 13:31:03 WEST BENSON BONNIFIELD, the leading banker of Ottumwa, was born in Randolph county, Virginia, on the 23d of February, 1827. His great-great-grandfather, Luke Bonnifield, was a native of England, and on his arrival in this country settled where the city of Washington, District of Columbia, now stands. There the family continued to reside until the grandfather of our subject, Samuel Bonnifield, removed to Hampshire county, Virginia, where Rhodham Bonnifield, the father of our subject, was born in 1789, and who, on reaching maturity, removed to Randolph county, where, in 1811, he married Nancy Minier, a lady of German descent. Out of family of thirteen children born to them, seven are at this writing (1878) still living. In 1836 the family removed to the tract of land then known as the "Black-Hawk Purchase," and settled in that portion now known as Jefferson county, Iowa. Here they struggled with the many adversities which encompassed all early settlers until 1840, when both parents died, leaving their large family dependent entirely upon their own exertions for support. The educational facilities in this new and sparsely settled country were extremely limited; and after a few years on the home farm, with winters spent in attending school at the "log school- house of the period," our subject decided that something must be done to obtain more extended opportunities for the improvement of his mind, and accordingly hired out for a few months, and invested his scanty earnings in tuition in what was then known as the Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute. Here he remained until his money was exhausted, when he obtained a situation, and for a time taught school near Burlington. With the money thus earned he started with his brothers, Allen M. and M. S., in 1849, for the Alleghany College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania. There being no railroads, the brothers traveled on foot nearly all the way from Burlington to Chicago. He spent about two years in this college, when, his means becoming again exhausted, he went to Kentucky, and for eighteen months taught school. His health becoming impaired through close application to study, he was obliged to forego, for a time at least, the great aim and ambition of his life, the attainment of a good education, and went to California, where for six years he was engaged in mining and stock raising, in which pursuits he met with moderately good success. In 1860 Mr. Bonnifield returned to Ottumwa, Iowa, on a visit to some friends, and finally concluded to locate and commence business there. After conducting a private banking house for a few years, he, on the passage of the national banking act in 1863, organized and became the president of the First National Bank of Ottumwa, which position he still holds. This institution was one of the first organized, and is considered one of the safest, most prosperous and well conducted banks of the west. Mr. Bonnifield has been largely interested in the coal business; was president of the Iowa Central Coal Company; also treasurer of the Saint Louis and Cedar Rapids Railroad Company from its organization in 1865 to its completion and transfer to the Saint Louis and Northern in 1871, and is now (1878) president of the Ottumwa Water Power Company, which has a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Though brought up in the democratic faith, Mr. Bonnifield was an ardent supporter of the war, and has since voted with the republican party; never, however, taking an active part in politics. He was married on the 28th of October, 1862, to Miss Alcinda Inskeep, of Hillsborough, Ohio, a lady of fine collegiate education, rare literary taste, and a devoted christian mother. They have three children, Mary Thrall, Lizzie Brooks, and Willie Benson. More information found in History of Wapello County, Iowa, 1914, pages 558-562; History of Wapello Countyk Iowa, 1901, pages 205-208 [I have large portions of this info, contact me if interested.] History of Wapello County, Iowa pg 914 Ottumwa Courier Index Ottumwa, Iowa 1908 Death notice: Pg. 1 col. 1 Born Randolph CO VG W.B. Bonnifield born Randolph Co. W. Virginia Feb 23, 1827; married Alcinda Inskeep Oct. 28, 1862 Ottumwa Counrier index: 1908 Aug. 11, 1908 page 4 col. 3 W.B. Bonnifield burial at Ottumwa Cemetery Ottumwa Courier W.B. Bonnifield Col. 3, pg. 6 OTTUMWA COURIER, page 4 col 3 August 11, 1908 PIONEER BANKER IS BURIED TODAY, LATE W. B. BONNIFIED IS LAID TO REST IN OTTUMWA CEMETERY Ottumwa's banking institutions are closed this afternoon out of respect for the late W.B. Bonnifield, president of the First National bank, who died Sunday at the home of his daughter in Cedar Rapids. The funeral takes place at 4 o'clock this afternoon from the late residence at 333 East Second street, conducted by Rev. D. C. Smith, former pastor of the Williard Street Methodist Episcopal church. The pall bearers will be t. D. Foster, Samuel Mahon, H.L. Waterman, William McNett, Martin Hutchison, S. L. Vest, A.H. Hamilton and George Haw Sr. Interment will be in Ottumwa cemetery. The body, which arrived in Ottumwa on the Milwaukee at 1:25 o'clock this morning from Cedar Rapids, was accompani ed by Mrs. W. B.Bonnifield, Mrs. Frank Simmons, Mrs. F. C. Hormel and W. B. Bonnifield Jr.--

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is West Benson Bonnifield's memorial?
West Benson Bonnifield's memorial is located at: Clover Leaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA.
When did West Benson Bonnifield death?
West Benson Bonnifield death on 9 Aug 1908 in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the West Benson Bonnifield's memorial?
Latitude: 40.5698200
Longitude: -74.2948700

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Alcinda Inskeep Bonnifield

(1833 - 1919)

Siblings

Samuel James Bonnifield

(1817 - 1907)

Gregory Bonnifield

(1820 - 1901)

Allen M. Bonnifield

(1820 - 1867)

Martha Bonnifield Chandler

(1822 - 1893)

Anzaletta Bonnifield Nicholson

(1825 - 1878)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Clover Leaf Memorial Park
Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5698200, -74.2948700

2. Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery
Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5636000, -74.2724800

3. First Presbyterian Churchyard
Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5620200, -74.2731500

4. Mount Lebanon Cemetery
Iselin, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5630989, -74.3186035

5. Woodbridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum
Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5546840, -74.3106110

6. Little Quaker Churchyard
Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5541140, -74.2786500

7. Beth Israel Cemetery
Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5516357, -74.3113937

8. Saint Gertrude Cemetery and Mausoleum
Colonia, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5978920, -74.3073420

9. Saint James Cemetery and Mausoleum
Woodbridge, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5366600, -74.2896200

10. Saint Nicholas Cemetery
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5367012, -74.2872009

11. Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption Cemete
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5353160, -74.2912960

12. Workmen’s Circle Cemetery Branch 95
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5348500, -74.2931200

13. Calvary Cemetery
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5345850, -74.2909320

14. New Dover Cemetery
Edison, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5854630, -74.3401660

15. Saint John The Baptist Orthodox Church Cemetery
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5306500, -74.2902410

16. Holy Trinity Cemetery
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5303116, -74.2929459

17. Hazel Wood Cemetery
Colonia, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6085260, -74.3062890

18. Church of Jesus Christ Cemetery
Fords, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5291328, -74.3018265

19. Saint John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cemetery
Clark, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6105610, -74.3035280

20. Saint Marys Cemetery
Clark, Union County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6111550, -74.3049710

21. Saint Spiridon Russian Orthodox Cemetery
Fords, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5280380, -74.3016739

22. Congregation Beth Mordecai Cemetery
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5271339, -74.2896500

23. Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery
Fords, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5272390, -74.3028370

24. Congregation Shari Tephalo Cemetery
Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5268555, -74.2896805