[Eliza (Mangold) Bonney]

Eliza Mangold, appears here in a portrait almost exactly the same as a "very old picture" published many years later in the Old Family Album by the South Bend Tribune. Described as tall and stately, the elegantly attired wife of South Bend's leading photographer, was known as an "excellent woman" and a church worker. She was born 25 Dec 1827 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Jonathan and Catherine Gunnell. She died in Muncie, Indiana 11 Aug 1912, and was buried beside her husband in Lawrence, Kansas.

James Bonney was one of South Bend's leading photographers. He was born 7 Nov 1831 in Watton, County Norfolk, England (where other Bonneys it will be noted, lived). James Bonney came to America in 1838, his family settling in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. At one time he had a gallery on the third floor of the Coonley building at the southwest corner of Washington Avenue and Michigan Street. His studio moved to several other locations in South Bend during the following years. His declining health led to associations with other photographers and finally to his retirement. He went to live with his daughter in Lawrence, Kansas where he died 18 April 1910 and was buried there.

It is not known where or when Eliza Mangold married James Bonney, but it was likely in Cape Girardeau County, Mo. They quickly left the south at the outbreak of the war, coming to South Bend, Indiana in 1862. In April of 1879, the Tribune reported "Nothing remains of the "old seminary" building on Washington street but a pile of debris, and in a few days it will have no trace left." A. B. Miller, editor of the Tribune goes on to say "the structure was familiar in outline to all our citizens as it is seen in the excellent photograph Mr. Bonney took just previous to its destruction." On May 3rd 1879 the Catholic Review observed "Visitors are flocking to the ruins from every side;... Mr. Bonney has taken several photographic views of the scene of destruction."

Carte de visite on albumen paper, circa 1865, Imprint: James Bonney, Photographer, South Bend, Ind. [AJB:19]

 

A page from the South Bend Tribune's Old Family Album.

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