"Benjamin F. Bonebrake, State Line City, Warren County, Indiana, merchant, was born on the 22d of March, 1839, in Fountain county, Indiana. He is the son of Jacob and Mary Magdalen (Null) Bonebrake. His father was born on the 28th of February, 1789, near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and his mother near Richmond, Virginia. The family settled in Newell township on the 8th of October, 1856; the father dying on his farm on the 25th of July, 1869, and the mother on the 21st of March of the same year.

Benjamin enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. B, 125th Ill. Vols., Capt. Robert Stewart, and was mustered into United States service as private on the 3d of September, 1862. He was promoted to sergeant on the 3d of December, 1862, and to the rank of orderly-sergeant on the 22d of February, 1863. He became sergeant-major of the regiment on the 3d of September, 1863, and was in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and marched to the relief of Knoxville, Tennessee. After that he bore a part in the battles of Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Dallas and Kenesaw Mountain. At the last named place he received a severe wound in the head, fracturing the skull. He was in the hospital at Nashville five and one-half months, and rejoined his regiment at Savannah, Georgia, on the 14th of January, 1865.

On his return a commission as first-lieutenant awaited him for gallant and meritorious conduct at Kenesaw Mountain, bearing date of December 5, 1864, and giving him rank from the 10th of December, 1864. He commanded Co. B thenceforward till the close of the service, participating in the final event which signalized it, namely: the grand review of Sherman's army on the 25th of May, 1865, in the capital of the nation. He was mustered out on the 9th of June; paid off a Chicago, and disbanded the 29th.

Mr. Bonebrake was married on the 2nd of April, 1866, to Mary M. Lindsey. They have two living children: Ralph and Maud. Lillie died on the 5th of August, 1875." - History of Vermilion County, Illinois, by H.W. Beckwith, 1879, Page 966

"Man is the noblest work of God, and a truly noble man but fulfills the plan of the Creator. The life of man describes a circle. The cycles of existence of different lives form concentric circles, for some are given but a quarter of a century wherein to complete the appointed work, while the span of others varies to the allotted three score and ten. But how true and comforting that life is measure, not by years alone, but rather by a purpose achieved and by noble deeds accredited to it. How often are we confronted when a loved friend answers the summons, with the question, Why must he go when he can so illy be spared? But the grim messenger heeds not and we are left to mourn and to accept submissively. These thoughts are prompted by a review of the life of the late Benjamin F. Bonebrake, of State Line, Warren county, Indiana, a man who, amid all the vicissitudes of life, stood four square to every wind that blows and who, because of the high character he bore, enjoyed to a remarkable degree the respect and esteem of the entire community.

Benjamin F. Bonebrake was born in the state of Ohio on March 22, 1839, and his death occurred at his home in State Line on June 28, 1900, he being thus sixty-one years old at the time of his death. He was indebted to the common schools for such educational advantages as he enjoyed, but he was possessed of great mental ability and was a wide reader and intelligent thinker, holding positive opinions on all the great questions of the day. He was reared to the life of a farmer and to that honorable pursuit he applied manager, so that he was abundantly prospered in his labors, being at the time of his death the owner of seven hundred and sixteen acres of good farming land located in Warren county, Indiana, and Vermilion and Douglas counties, Illinois. Practically all of this land was under cultivation and was maintained at the highest standard of agricultural excellence. The groups of farm buildings on these tracts were kept in good shape and everything was done well that was attempted. Mr. Bonebrake did not specialize in his work, but carried on a diversified system of farming, raising all the common crops and giving due attention to the raising of live stock, which is such a valuable and profitable adjunct to the farm.

On the 4th of April, 1866, Mr. Bonebrake was united in marriage with Mary M. Lindsey, who was born in Illinois, about two miles from the bonebrake farm home, on April 2, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Bonebrake became the parents of five children, of which number the only one living is Arent E. Bonebrake, who is now successfully and ably carrying forward the work so auspiciously inaugurated by his father. Arent Bonebrake was born on July 6, 1884, and on April 15, 1905, he was married to Mellie G. Sidders, who was born February 28, 1888. They have three children.

Mr. Bonebrake was a stanch Republican in his political proclivities and had an intelligent interest in current public affairs, though his private affairs precluded his acceptance of any public office. He was a fervent and earnest member of the Christian church, to which the family now belongs. He was a man of strong convictions on moral, educational, ethical and other questions, and his influence was always cast on the side of every movement which had for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community. Mr. Bonebrake never shirked his duty in any walk of life and, owing to his public spirit, his integrity, kindness, generosity and genteel demeanor, he was popular with all classes." - Past & Present of Fountain & Warren Counties, Indiana, 1913 (Williamsport-Washington Township Public Library, Williamsport, Indiana)

"Benjamin F. Bonebrake. This gentleman was born in Fountain County, Ind., March 2, 1839, and departed this life at his home in State Line City, this county, Thursday, June 28, 1900, in his 62d year. Deceased had been in poor health for one year, but was much worse the last six months. His disease was dropsy of the heart.

He was married in April 1866, in Vermilion County, Ill., to Miss Mary Lindsey. For nine years after marriage, Mr. Bonebrake and his wife lived on the farm in that county, and in 1875 they left the farm and moved to State Line City where the remainder of his life was spent. At State Line, deceased engaged in mercantile business and bought and sold grain, which he continued up to a short time prior to his death. He was one of the prominent and influential men of his town, and had the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was a member for many years of the Christian Church and none were more steadfast and liberal than he. His church he loved and proved his love by his sturdy adherence to its teachings and devotion to its prosperity. But not alone will the church be the loser in this good man's death, but the entire community. In 1886 he was elected a Commissioner of this county, for the first district, and in 1889 was re-elected, serving two full terms to the acceptance and satisfaction of his constituents. He was a member of the order of I.O.O.F. several years and was in good standing in his lodge at his demise.

In 1861 at the breaking out of the war, he enlisted for the three years' service, in the 125th Illinois Regiment, and was honorably discharged from the service in 1865. At the battle of Kennesaw Mountain he was wounded in the head, a bullet of the enemy striking him on the side of the head and leaving a large hole, from which he slowly recovered, but in after years was not able for hard labor in the heat of summer, and on account of this wound he was compelled to quit the farm and engage in another and lighter avocation. Going into the services as a private, he returned as a captain.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bonebrake were born five children-two sons and three daughters-two of whom survive their father, Mrs. H. P. Worden and a son, 16 years of age, who lives at home. He also leaves a wife, one brother, Levi Bonebrake of Hillsdale, Ind., and four sisters, Mrs. Martha Williams of Joplin, Mo.; Mrs. Eliza Miller of McCune, Kan.; Mrs. Rachel Thompson of Danville, Ill., who lives with her son, who is Treasurer of Vermilion County; and Mrs. Malinda Myers of State Line City. Deceased was a cousin to the late J. Harvey Bonebrake, who many years ago, in the 60's was Auditor of this county.

He always remembered his church in life and forgot her not in death. He made provision for her permanent welfare by setting apart a valuable tract of land of one hundred acres, never to be sold but to be used for the church in providing for the preaching of the Gospel. This land is valued at $6,000 and the rents and profits arising from its cultivation is to be set apart for the support of the ministry." - Warren Review, July 12, 1900 (Chris Brown, William-Washington Township Public Library, Williamsport, Indiana)