Untitled Document

ALBERT BONNEN

It is not only the older men who are devoting themselves to agricultural pursuits, as the younger generation has been made to see that it is from the land that the greatest profits are to be secured, provided the soil is properly tilled. New ideas are being constantly advanced along such lines, and the rural communities of Rock Island county are developing in a remarkable degree.

One of the prosperous young farmers of Buffalo Prairie township is Albert Bonnen. owner of 120 acres of valuable laud. He was born in Prussia, Germany, June 17. 1867. a son of Martin and Anna (Rosen) Bonnen. both of whom died in Germany. Two of their children reside in Rock Island county, namely. Albert, and Anna, the latter being the wife of John Nitz, a farmer. Albert Bonnen was educated in the common schools of his native land, attending them until he was fourteen years old. He then began working among the farmers, and broke land with oxen.

In 1882, he came to the United States, landing at New York city, from whence he went to Stark county, Ind., and he spent twelve months working for farmers. He then went to Benton county, Incl., where he worked for three years, then coming to Rock Island county, where he spent the next fifteen or sixteen years in a factory in 1902, he bought eighty acres of his present farm, which he has cultivated ever since, and now has a fine property, well improved. Later he added the ad joining forty acre?. On August 14, 1885, Mr. Bonnen was married to Elithebeth Hinke, a daughter of August and Augusta Hinke, natives of Germany, both of whom survive, making their home in this county, the father being a stone mason by trade.

Mr. and Mrs. Bonnen became the parents of children as follows: Freda, who is the wife of George Kane, a farmer of Iowa; and Lorraine, who is with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bonnen are members of the German Lutheran church. Politically, Mr. Bonnen is a republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 20, of Rock Island. He has been very successful, but has attained to his present prosperity through untiring labor and thrifty economy, and has every reason to be proud of his achievements.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

Sumitted by the Webmaster

Illinois Ancestors

021807