The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1878-12-12
IEV. j. 1. BONNER, ID. ID.

A Sketch Of His Life and Labors~ What
ae Has Done In the Departments of
Theology, Education and journalism
"A Well Spent Life.
lFiom The Elgsdeld Atlve,tiser]
The subject Of this sketch, though
not born in South Carolina, may
justly be regarded a Carolinian.
His parents were Carolinians, born
and reared in Abbeville county.
He himself has lived in the State
over thirty years, and is thoroughly
identified with it in all it's interests
religious, educational and politi-
cal. In this State he has spent his
entire professional life, and here,
no doubt, his days will end, and his
body rest when lifo's journey is over
and it's work done.
DR.. Bonner was born in Monroe
county, Alabama, in the year 1922.
Very soon after his birth his parents
moved to Wilcox county of the san o
St,te. Here he passed his boyhood,
receiving his academic training un-
der Rev. j. p. Pressly, afterwards
Professor of Greek in Erskine COL
lege) laying carefully the foundati
for that literary training to which
his father had destined him. In
that day and time, educational ad-
vantages in the South were scarce.
Good educatio nj academies even
were few. Colleges were rarities.
In order to furnish these advanta =
ges to his children, DR.. Bonner's
father moved to Indiana in 1887,
and not long after the subject of
this sketch entered Miami Univer-
sity-at that time one of the most
prosperous ms s;itutions of the
Northwest. Here he spent two
years and half. Then came
that question which meets every
young man when he leaves college,
one of vast Importance and often :
times very perplexing-the choice of
q profession. Happy Is he who
chooses early-who devotes himself
to that profession for which he is
especially fitted by natural endow-
ments, tastes and cultivation. Thus
only can he attain the highest
usefulness, and thus only can he be
happy in his work.
DR.. Bonner has realized the
blessedness Of wise choice. In
1843 he came South, to his an
cestral home, to enter upon the
study of theology, and spent two
years in the Seminary at Due West.
At this time his health WAS very
feeble, so much so that his friends
doubted the propriety of his enter
ing on regular ministerial work.
After spending q year or two in
travel, engaged portion of the
time in missionary labor, he began
in 1847 his Notwithstanding
In that year he was elected Princi-
pal of the academy at Due West,
and continued in charge of it, few
brief intervals excepted, 80 long as
it had nm existence.
In 1859 new era dawned upon
the little village, already made
classic by q we'll established, pros
porous male college. The citizens
detcilhluea to organize female
college. The effort was q perfect
success. funds were raised for the
erection Of a large, well-appointed
building, and the work was entered
upon and prosecuted with great
vigor to it's completion. After the
foundation of the college, it was q
mattor of no small moment to the
community who should be placed
in charge of it. Its future depend
ed upon proper presiding officer.
To this responsible position DR..
Bonner was unanimously chosen by
the trustees. And the entire his
tory of the college, during the
nineteen years of it's existence, is
the best evidence of his admirable
fitness for the place. Under his
administration the college has con-
stantly grown in public favor. Or
ganized just year or two previous
to the war, it not only lived but
prospered during n that trying
period. Employing only the best
teachers, exercising o discipline
which combines the most careful,
paternal oversight witt ashe 6 uIwa!