Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-01-01

Cincinnati. His grandfather, Devalt
Bonebrake, was of German extrac-
ton, and lived in Pennsylvania at
the time of the Revolution, and was
private soldier in the American army.
His father, Frederick. who served in
the war OF 1912, was one Of six
brothers who We're ministers of the
Gospel, and, as was usual in those
times along the borders Of civiliza-
ton, were also all farmers. The de
mands of charity exhausted what
little funds were deposited in the hat.
as it was passed around on Sunday
morning, and all hands were COM
pelled to work on the farm to provide
the necessaries of life. The
children we're educated in the
closest school of economy. The
mother wove the clothes for the
family, and few children were dressed
more comfortably, and few families
would sit down to more beautiful
table.
His father and mother died when
the subject OF our sketch was only II
years old. Two months and half in
the year at Il log schoolhouse were
the privileges of his early education.
At the age OF II, however, young
George started to college with sos in
his pocket. Here he remained for
ten months, and out of the $65 were
left on deposit $l5, and he returned
home with $500. He achieved u
classical course in college, and was
regarded as one of the most proficient
students, and says he had lots OF fun
too. Alter graduation he took charge
Of seminary in Indiana, taught five
languages, started newspaper, and
made it one OF the liyeliest sheets in
that section.
Early in 1862 he volunteered as a
private in the army for che Union,
and was successfully promoted to
Second Lieutenant, Captain and
Major, in which capacity he served
until the fall OF 1865.
Returning, he formed partnership
with General Tom Browne in the law
business, and was soon elected
director and attorney for the First
National Bank OF Winchester, In
diana. The General has since been
elected seven times to Congress, and
is now one OF its most honorcd mem
bers. Here, perhaps, was acquired
that knowledge Of law and experience
in business which has made him so
eminently successful in the profession
of banking. After serving in the
capacity OF junior member OF bank
ing firm and cashier, Major Bone
brake came to California over ten
years ago for the benefit of the health
of his wife, who died about two years
after arriving here.
Since coming to Los Angeles, few
of our citizens have identified them
selves more thoroughly with the
interests of Southern California. As
President of the Board OF Trade, with
his able compeers, much good was ac-
complished for the city in the matter
of Congressional appropriations and
other improvements. The Los An
geles National Bank, which Major
Bonebrake assisted in organizing, and
OF which he was first president, has
been SO marvelously successful that
it's assets are now over $2,50O,O ,OOo.
No bank in the United States is
stronger to-day, while there may be
many just as good.
Perhaps no man on the Pacific coast
did more to induce the Santa Fe Rail
road Company to come TO Los An
geles than Major Bonebrake. Hav-
ing'inhuential friends in the company,
he was untiring in his efforts to have
them extend their system to this
coast, and was the first president OF
the road from San Befnardino to Los
Angeles, and the one from Los An
geles to San Diego via Santa Ana
until the consolidation with the Cali
fornia Central, OF which he is now a
director.
Mr.. Bonebrake says he unfortu-
nately sold large portion of his in
terest in real estate, and now gives
exclusive attention to bank matters,
being director in the First National
OF Pomona, Pasadena and Santa Ana,
the Savings Bank OF Southern Cali
fornia and the new bank at Santa
Paula. He hopes to go to Europe in
April, and will be absent about five
months