- I am puzzled why Jacob Bonebrake, brother of Rhoda, lists her as aliving sibling as of 1884, the date of his autobiography, if she diedconsiderably earlier on 8 Jan 1876. David H. Drollinger 18 Sep 2013
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JACOB, SON OF JOHN BONEBRAKE (written 1884) (Obtainedfrom Our Bonebrake Heritage by Marie Rizek Bonebrake)
I was born in Preble County, May 22, 1812. When I arrived at the ageof eight years, my Father sent me to a German school that grandfatherDewalt Bonebrake was teacher. I could read and spell German tolerablewell, and I have not forgotten the German yet. When I moved withfather to Fountain County, Indiana in 1821, the advantage of school inthose thinly settled neighborhood were very poor at that time, but inall I got about 12 months schooling in the English Language. I marrieda loving and amiable girl on the 14th day of November 1833, by thename of Lavina Drollinger, who proved a great comfort and a blessingto me through all her life. In 1840 we started, with fathers family,for Iowa, our little family of three children. 1841 arrived in DavisCounty. 1844 moved to Monroe County and about 1844 moved to MarionCounty, Iowa. In spring of 1862, we, with our seven children (threedied when small) two of whom were married, started with a train ofabout 35 families to cross the plains for Oregon, including twobrothers and two sisters and their families with nearly all ox teams.About the middle of June we entered the Indian Country and saw a greatmany Indians, but they never molested the emigrants til we arrived onSnake river west of the Rocky Mountains. By that time our wagonsnumbered 110. From this time on we traveled about 500 miles with greatanxiety and fear, frequently we would pass graves where emigrants hadbeen murdered by Indians. We buried five men, side by side, that weremurdered by Indians. By this time our train numbered 211 wagons, butby close guarding and watching our relatives all landed in Oregon thefirst of October 1862, considerably reduced, but we felt very thankfulthat we had once more reached civilization. I stopped in JacksonCounty one year, then to Douglas County, rented three years, in 1866we moved to Coos Bay where I located, had a pleasant home. But the11th of October 1879, I was bereaved of my dear companion. All of mychildren are living on the coast, and are as follows:
Syntha Ann married G.F. Bonebrake, son of Henry Bonebrake, ofconsiderable means.
Josiah Valentine Bonebrake, resident of Coos Bay, farmer, wellsituated.
Rhoda Elizabeth married B.F.Ross, a farmer in good circumstances.
Louisa Katharine married F.E. Winchester, artist of Walla, Walla,Wash.
John William - a jewelor, Lakeview, Lake County, Oregon.
Margaret Josaphine married J.W. Riggs, artist, Lewistown, Idaho.
Henry Salathiel, Jewelor, Marshfield Coos County, Oregon.
[Died young – Melissa]
As I failed to give particulars of my brothers and sisters, out often, six are living at the date (May 1, 1884)
William F. Bonebrake, minister, Dayton, Washington.
Mrs. John B. Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon. 8 children-3 sons.
Rhoda married N. Cockelreace, Chehalis, Washington, 5 children -2sons.
Mary Ann married E. Gunter, Newborn, Iowa. 7 children -2 sons.
Lydia, married Dalrymple. Douglas County, Oregon.4 children, 2sons.
I am 72 years old, have 12 grandchildren.
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1823 - 1876 (~ 52 years)
