"In the death of Jacob E. Bonsall, Esq., at his residence, in this place on Thursday of last week, this county lost one of its most respected citizens. Mr. Bonsall, some weeks ago, was seized with a severe attack of rheumatism, the disease locating in his left knee, which during the past eighteen years had been exempt from pain, but which previously had been the main seat of rheumatic trouble in his person. The deceased suffered greatly from the disease, which finally went to his brain resulting fatally.

Jacob E. Bonsall was born in Greenwood Township, this county, August 31, 1833, and at the time of his death was aged 63 years, 7 months, and 1 day. Bereft of his parents in childhood--his mother when he was but three years and father five years thereafter--the lad was thrown upon his won resources. He made his home in his boyhood days in part with his grandfather, Benjamin Bonsall, a revolutionary hero, and his aunt, Mrs. Jane Wright. At the age of 14 years he became afflicted with rheumatism from which he was never entirely free afterwards during his lifetime. He attended the public schools and later was a student at Markelville Academy, and for some years thereafter was a successful teacher in common schools of this county.

Mr. Bonsall next went to Clinton county, this State and engaged in merchantile business for some years, latterly in charge of a company store. Tjhere he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth E. Bridgens, on December 24, 1863. A few years later he removed to Kendall county, Illinois, where he agian engaged in store keeping for a period of seven years; at the end of that time he moved with his family to Liverpool, this county, and there taught school and kept store for some years.

During the latter part of President Hayes' administration Mr. Bonsall was appointed postmaster at Liverpool and served from 1878 to 1885, when he was nominated by the Republican County Convention for Prothonotary, and was elected, serving from 1886 to 1892, he having been renominated at the expiration of his first term. Since that time he had lived retired, except acting at times as Deputy Prothonotary for his successor, and as special Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Rice and Johnson; he had also been called to serve the people in local offices. In his capacity as a county official he was a most efficent and courteous gentleman. He did his work faithfully, honestly and accurately. As a private citizen he was highly esteemed, and his unfailing geniality, his unswerving loyalty to his friends drew to him a large circle of young and old who sincerely mourn his death.

Mr. Bonsall was a kind neighbor, a divoted father and loving husband, and his demise is indeed a sad affliction uoon his household, to which we estend our deepest sympathy. A stricken wife, a son Harry E. and daughter, Miss E. Blanche, revere his memory; there are also three grandchildren; John Bonsall, of Greenwood township; is a brother of the deceased.

His remains were interred amid a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends, in the cemetery in this place, on Saturday, Rev. W.H. Stevens officiating, assisted by Revs. F.T. Wheeler and A.J. Rudisill.

Published in the Peoples Advocate & Press, April 7, 1897"

Jacob Bonsall married Elizabeth,nee(Bridgens)on December
23,1863.

From this marriage are the following children;
Lena Mary,born July 12, 1864 died an infant Nov.26, 1864
Harry Ernest born Aril 13, 1866 died on Sept.25, 1928
Etta Blanch born on May 22, 1870 died on May 27, 1939
Norris Burton born on Nov, 25,1874 died on August 23, 1875