"The Journal-Telephone", Milton Junction, Wisconsin, Thursday, Oct. 25, 1917, p 1.
James G. Bond was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1842, and died at his home in Milton, Wis., October 18, 1917.
In the spring of 1847 his father, Deacon Jonathan Bond, with his wife, Mary French Bond, and eleven children, moved from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and settled on what is known as the 'South Y' farm at Milton Junction. The family came down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi to Galena, thence they went across country by wagons. This was sturdy pioneer stock. All of the children grew to maturity, and most of them lived to advanced age. The hardships of pioneer life knitted the group closely together and helped to make the family tie stronger.
At the age of twenty-one James commenced railroading in train service on the St. Paul Railway, and later acted as express manager on the same road. In 1870 he was appointed Yard-master at Duluth, Minn., for the Duluth and Mississippi Ry., and in April 1872, he was promoted to be passenger conductor between St. Paul and Duluth. He served this company seven years, then started the employ of the Wabash Ry. in Indiana. After two years he was transferred to the main line of this road and given conductorship of the fast passenger train from St. Louis to Council Bluffs, which position he held for sixteen years. He then engaged with the Chesapeake and Ohio Ry., and was conductor on that road for twenty-two and a half years. After this he returned to his home here in Milton on account of failing health and resided here until his death. He was a charter member of the Order of Railway Conductors on both the Wabash and Chesapeake and Ohio railways, and for thirteen years he was the chairman of the Grievance Committee of the C. O. Ry. His opinions were sought by the General Manager and universally followed in settling differences between the employees and the railroad company. He was actively employed on railroads for forty-seven years. In his long illness, six years ago, the Order of Railway Conductors sent one of their number from Hinton, W. Va., to carry their sympathies and aid in his illness.
Since his death telegrams of love and sympathy have come to his family from his many railroad friends on the C. & O. Ry., including one from the Vice President of the road, and one from the Order of Railway Conductors in which organization he had held for several years the highest office, that of Chief Conductor.
In his twenty-two years of service on the Chesapeake and Ohio Ry., not one check or demerit stands against his name and record.
He was a quiet man, kind, tender hearted and with a strong love for his kindred and family. He leaves a wife, Lillian Browning Bond, one son, Ernest Bond, who is now Chief Clerk in the freight office of the St. Paul Ry. at Janesville, Wis., and one grandchild, James Bond, named after his loving grandfather. One of the last names mentioned by the dying grandfather was that of little James. He is also survived by two brothers, Samuel M. and Jonathan D. and by two sisters, Mrs. Jennie Morton and Mrs. Fannie Dennett, all of whom reside in Milton.
Funeral services were conducted at his late home Sunday afternoon by Rev. L. C. Randolph, assisted by Rev. Frank Burdick, pastor of the Congregational church. The College Male Quartet sang. Those present from out of town were: Dr. Charles Draper of Prairie du Chien and Charles Draper of Chicago, (nephews), Dr. Luther Bond of Dennison, Ia., and Mrs. Janes of Evansville.
