This biography from the Archives of AskART:
| | Born in Cincinnati, OH on Sept. 23, 1836. Bonnell joined the Gold Rush to California with his father in 1849. After unsuccessfully panning for gold, the Bonnells owned and operated a lumber mill in Portland, OR. When the mill burned in 1856, the younger Bonnell returned to San Francisco where he remained. During this period he practiced athletics with a group of artists which included the Nahls, Keith, Harrison Eastman, and others. This group formed the nucleus of the Olympic Club which was established in 1860. Initially, Bonnell was an accountant and in 1862 became a business partner of William Keith in a wood engraving shop. Bonnell remained a lifelong friend and pupil of Keith and was executor of Keith's estate in 1911. A wealthy banker, he died in San Francisco at his home at 1709 Gough on Nov. 28, 1912. Brother Cornelius, Keith's biographer, wrote that Bonnell became "a painter of remarkable ability." His works are rare. Exh: SFAA, 1872-73. | Source:
Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"
California State Library (Sacramento); Keith, Old Master of California (Brother Cornelius); Memorial Sketches by Thos A. Perkins, 1909; Death record; SF Call, 11-29-1912 (obituary). | | Nearly 20,000 biographies can be found in Artists in California 1786-1940 by Edan Hughes and is available for sale ($150). For a full book description and order information please click here. |
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