Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BONSON, Richard
Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=breamefford&id=I17277
BONSON, Richard. (Yorkshire, England, Oct. 23, 1814-Dubuque, IA, Feb. 2, 1883). Miner. Bonson settled in Dubuque in July 1834. In 1836 his father and others erected a blast furnace at Rockdale.
There were many complications in locating MININGclaims. A committee of twenty-five was appointed as arbitrators. From this committee was appointed an executive committee of three, consisting of T. Davis, James LANGWORTHY and Bonson. They made the maps of the claims and settled all arguments. Their decision was final.
Frequently elected to township and county elective offices including the Board of Supervisors, Bonson also served as the State Inspector of Banks. He was elected a state legislator in 1854 and 1856.
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Source:
History of Dubuque County Iowa. Chicago: Western History Company, 1880