Anthony Bonnett
America is indebted to Germany for some of her most competent workmen; and the subject of this sketch, whose
handicraft shows a rare union of artistic taste and mechanical skill, is deserving of especial mention in a volume
which aims to record the names of the leaders in various lines of effort. Coming from the Fatherland as a boy of
seventeen, and compelled from the first to rely upon his own exertions for a livelihood, Mr. Bonnett was engaged
in various undertakings before he obtained a foothold in the business of manufacturing guns and violins, in which
he has achieved so marked a success.
He was born in Charlottenburg, Nassau, Germany, in 1835, and his parents, Henry Charles Bonnett and Elizabeth
(Priester), were also natives of that country. The father died there, but the mother came to Pennsylvania to pass
her declining years, her death occurring in 1873.
Mr. Bonnett attended school in his native land until he reached the age of fourteen, when he secured employment
in the lead, silver and copper mines near his home. Three years later he crossed the ocean, being seven weeks in
crossing in the sailship, "Chesapeake," and on his arrival in this country he located at Pike Furnace, Clarion Co., Penn.,
engaging in the mining of iron ore. He remained in this vicinity about three years, and then went to Clarion, Penn.,
where he learned the gunsmith's trade. After working at that business for a time he moved to Catfish, on the Allegheny
river, and remained one year. Some lands north of Brookville attracted his attention, and he spent a year in clearing land,
but returned then to Pike Furnace. In 1860 he moved to the vicinity of Reynoldsville, Penn., and in 1864 he went to
Brookville, where he followed his trade and also learned the art of photography. The year 1868 found him in Clarion county,
pursuing the two occupations, and from 1879 to 1882 he was engaged in agriculture. On leaving the farm he established
himself in his present business in Brookville. Some time ago he made a study of violin construction, and he has made some
of the best instruments in use in this section. In fact, Mr. Bonnett is a genius in his way, and his artistic ability is manifested
in all that he undertakes, some specimens of his ornamental penmanship being especially noteworthy. As a citizen he is
progressive as a business man straightforward, and his fellow townsmen hold him in high esteem.
In 1857 Mr. Bonnett married Miss Elizabeth Gibbs, of Clarion county, Penn., and seven children have blessed their union:
Mary Elizabeth; Rebecca Jane (deceased); Anna Elmina, the wife of Louis N. Kline, of Montana; John C., a machinist and
electrician; Olive Clementine; and William H., a druggist. Mr. and Mrs. Bonnett attend the Presbyterian Church. Politically
our subject has been identified with the Democratic party heretofore, but at present time he looks above all party movements.
