From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 675-676.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JOHN BONAR

Among those who settled in this part of the Ohio valley in the last 
century, a conspicuous pioneer was John Bonar, who settled on Bonar's 
ridge in 1790, and located a tract of land.  His wife, whose maiden 
name was Rebecca Calhoun, lived until 1847, surviving her husband 
many years.  James C. Bonar, one of their sons, a farmer by 
occupation, a prominent man in his time, was a lieutenant in the war 
of 1812, and served as justice of the peace more than twenty-one 
years.  This liberal and enterprising man died in 1858, at the age of 
sixty-nine years.  His wife was Sarah Magers, daughter of Elias and 
Elizabeth (Arnold) Magers, natives of Maryland, who died, the former 
in 1830, the year of the death of John Bonar, and the latter in 1857.  
Mrs. Sarah Bonar died in 1856, aged fifty-seven.  She bore her 
husband nine children, John, Elias, Rebecca E., Susan, Mary J., 
Miles, Jessie, Sarah and Matthew.  Miles Bonar, now an aged and 
respected farmer of Marshall county, was born in that county, 
February 1, 1829. He was reared on the farm and has given his 
attention to agriculture and stock-raising, with such success that he 
is now comfortably situated and his family is well provided for.  His 
life has been an honorable and upright one, and no one is more highly 
regarded in this region.  In 1853 he was married to Susan M., 
daughter of John L. and Mary E. (Porter) Gibson, old residents of 
Marshall county.  Her grandfather, Benjamin Gibson, a native of 
Maryland, died about 1827, and his wife, Mary O'Brien died about 
1857.  John L. Gibson and wife were among the earliest members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church in the county.  He died in 1861, aged 
fifty-nine, and she in 1864, aged fifty-one.  Nine children were born 
to them.  Miles Bonar and wife have had five children: Sarah A., 
James L., Everett W., Milton G., who died June 18, 1887, aged 
nineteen years, being at that time a freshman in the Ohio Wesleyan 
college, and a student of great promise: and Mary L., who died May 
25, 1886, aged sixteen years.  She had excellent musical talent and 
was greatly beloved.  Mr. Bonar and his wife have long been members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served in an official 
capacity and in Sunday-school work for more than thirty-five years.   


(Linda Fluharty)