TALBOT FANNING BONNER. A prominent and prosperous citizen of Nashville, Talbot Fanning BONNER, head of the Bonner Furniture Manufacturing Company, has long been an important factor in the promotion and advancement of the industrial and business interests of this section of Davidson county; and his influence as a man or honor and integrity is felt throughout the city, for the welfare of which he is ever laboring. A son of Bedding BONNER, Jr., he was born on a farm in Warren county, Tennessee, of thrifty pioneer stock.
His paternal grandfather, Redding BONNER, Sr., a native of North Carolina, was bred, educated, and married in that state. Subsequently, accompanied by his wife and children, he migrated to Tennessee, making the overland journey with teams, and bringing with him all of his worldly effects, including his household goods, farm implements, slaves, and live stock, it taking several weeks to accomplish the trip. Locating in Warren county, he bought a tract of wild land, and in common with the other pioneers of that section of the state began the clearing and improving of a homestead, in the meantime ably assisting in the development of the resources of that county. At that time, and for many years thereafter, there were no railroads in the state, and each year the farmers roundabout had to make two trips to Nashville, seventy-five miles away, carrying to’ that market and depot for supplies all of their surplus produce, and taking back on their return the needed household supplies, such as coffee, salt, sugar and shoes. Clearing a good farm, Redding BONNER, Sr., was there a resident until his death, when upwards of ninety years old. His wife also lived to a good old age.
Born near Raleigh, North Carolina, Redding BONNER, Jr., was about fifteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Tennessee. He assisted his father in the pioneer labor of clearing the land, and as soon as old enough served an apprenticeship at the tanner’s trade. When ready to begin life on his own account, he bought land lying two miles from the parental homestead, and in addition to tilling the soil operated a tannery, tanning hides for the neighboring farmers at halves, receiving one hide for tanning another. During the war between the states he tanned hides for the Confederate government, and was thus exempt from military service. He died in 1899, aged fourscore and two years. He married Elizabeth RUTLEDGE, who was born in Warren county, a daughter of John and Mary (Dotson) RUTLEDGE, pioneers of that part of the state. She used to card, spin and weave the homespun in which she clothed her family, living a useful life of seventy years. Nine children were born to them, as follows: Esther, Hiram Boone, Cicero, Alice, Andrew, Talbot Fanning, Norman, Julia, and Dora.
The boyhood of Talbot Fanning BONNER was spent on the home farm, and his rudimentary education was gleaned in the district schools, his first temple of learning having been a small log house, furnished with plain wooden benches. Well drilled in the elements of knowledge, he was subsequently graduated from Eastman’s Business College, in Poughkeepsie, New York, receiving his diploma in 1881. Locating then in Nashville, MR. BONNER was for several years employed as a bookkeeper. In 1900 he began his career as a manufacturer, being at first general manager for the Standard Furniture Company, later serving as general manager and treasurer of the concern. Severing his connection with that firm in. 1912, MR. BONNER organized the Bonner Furniture Manufacturing Company, of which he has since been president and treasurer, offices for which he is amply qualified.
MR. BONNER is likewise officially connected with many other organizations of note, being president of the Nashville Manufacturers’ Association; vice-president of the Tennessee Manufacturers’ Association; a member of the Nashville Board of Trade, which he has served as director; a member of the executive committee of the Industrial Board. He is also a trustee of both the Fanning Orphan School and of the Galloway Memorial Hospital. Fraternally he belongs to the Royal Arcanum; and religiously he is a member of the Christian church.
MR. BONNER married, May 20, 1884, Miss Bessie Emma MOSS, who was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, a daughter of Ulysses F. and Katie (West) MOSS. Mr. and Mrs. BONNER have one child, Lillian Catherine BONNER, who was married September 7, 1911, to Mr. John L. NORTON, a manufacturer’s agent with headquarters in Nashville.
Source: Hale, Will T, and Dixon L. Merritt. A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1913. Volume 4
