... [James Bonner] was reared in the vicinity of Abbeville, where he married Mary P. Foster, whose father, James Foster, born in the northern part of Ireland, became a farmer of South Carolina, whence he removed to Spring Hill, Indiana, about 1837, and died in this locality. About two years subsequent to his marriage James Bonner removed to Wilcox county, Alabama, where he dwelt for some sixteen years, owning and managing a large plantation, which, of course, was cultivated by slaves. He was a kind master, and hated the slavery system,—indeed, he eventually came to the north to escape from it. Having due regard for their feelings, he sold his slaves in a body to his brother, refusing to separate them, and his brother, according to their agreement, kept them together. He was a successful business man, being considered quite rich in his day, and at one time owned several farms in this county. In the spring of 1836 he came to Decatur county and located in Fugit township, where he engaged in farming until his death, in 1844, when he was upward of fifty-five years of age. His beloved wife, Mary, died during the first year of the family's residence in this state, and he later wedded a Miss Weed. Like his father and relatives, he was a devout Presbyterian, and was an elder in the church. Politically he was a Whig, and in all public matters was actively interested, as becomes a patriot. ...
