The Fonda Blog

Mississippi Riverboat

On February 1, 1831, French-Canadian fur trader Gabriel Prudhomme patented 271 acres of land in Jackson County, Missouri for $340. The land, originally part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, contained a natural rock ledge on the south bank of the Missouri River that would later be known as “the levee” that proved to be an excellent steamboat landing site. After an altercation in 1831, Prudhomme died leaving a complex legal battle among his heirs. The courts finally declared that the land should be auctioned-off and the proceeds equitably distributed among his children. On July 7, 1838, James H. McGee as a guardian for the Prudhomme heirs auctioned the land. He received $1,800 for the land from Abraham Fonda but the courts ordered a new sale due to charges of a lack of adequate advertising and a suspicion of collusion between the two men. The land, including the landing for the loading and Mississippi River Steamboat unloading of materials on the Missouri River, had begun to be used regularly by businesses as early as 1836. The second auction of the estate was advertised as far away as St. Louis and cried-off on November 14, 1838. A group of men, led by William M. Sublett made a bid of $4,220 and successfully purchased the tract of land. Next, the group formed a corporation with the intent of using the landing and its nearby surroundings as a business settlement, complete with warehouses. The corporation originally consisted of 14 members and shortly after the sale allowed an additional three members. Members included John C. McCoy (the city’s first surveyor), Fry P. McGee (the group’s first financial officer), and William M. Chick (Kansas City’s first Postmaster). Other members of the group were: Oliver Caldwell, William Collins, Abraham Fonda, William Gillis, Russell Hicks, Samuel C. Owens, Jacob Ragan, James Smart, George W. Tate, and Moses G. Wilson. The additions were Robert Campbell, William B. Evans, and Henry Jobe.

Missouri Wilderness - 1840's

The initial order of business for the group was what to name the proposed town. The 14 committee members retired to the log house on the riverbank at the foot of Main Street occupied by “One-Eyed Ellis” to select a name for the new town. No doubt there was much laughter as those roughly dressed men sat in front of the blazing fire and suggested one name after another. Old Squire Bowers, a spectator who lived on the river, facetiously suggested “Rabbitville or Possumtrot” but was treated with silent contempt. Another suggested, “Kawsmouth” and “Port Fonda” in honor of Abraham Fonda, then a prominent member of the committee. Unfortunately Fonda became involved in a quarrel with another part-owner, Henry Jobe, who threatened all sorts of legal, fistic, and even shotgun remedies, and the results were that “Port Fonda” was not accepted. Finally “Town of Kansas” was agreed upon, because of the Kansas River and the Kansas Indians, and was the name under which the new town site was surveyed and by which it was called until 1853. At that time it became known as the “City of Kansas” and in 1880, as “Kansas City.”

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Developing Michigan Farmland

Joining the state militia, he served for some years in its ranks and won the title of Colonel. He was pre-eminently a military man, tall and erect and without a knowledge of fear. He married Lauraa Avery, and when they came to the west there were three children in their family, while after their arrival, three more were added to the household. Colonel Fonda was a man of marked intelligence and enterprise in his day and was also a most progressive agriculturalist, becoming the owner of one of the finest farms in his part of the county. He took an active and helpful part in the early development of this section of the state and his name certainly deserves to be high on the roll of honored pioneers.

Calhoun County, Michigan

William’s brother, Cornelius C. Fonda (1809-1897), father of William Henry Fonda (see next entry), spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity (New York) and then he too became a pioneer resident of Michigan, arriving in Calhoun County in the spring of 1838. He made the journey up the Hudson River by steamer, across the country by the Erie canal to Buffalo, thence by boat to Detroit and from there by wagon to his destination, twenty-three days being required to make the trip. He was accompanied by his wife and three sons and the journey across Michigan was made with a double ox team. In New York he had married Miss Esther Moe, who was born in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County, NY, in 1814.

Family Blacksmith Business

Arriving in Calhoun county they settled upon the property where the Independent Congregational Church now stands and at the Verona Mills. Mr. Fonda secured slabs with which he erected a small slab shanty, this being the first home of the family. Soon afterward, however, he built a (traditional) house across the road. He was a blacksmith by trade and opened a smithy where the Trump block now stands.

It was entirely unroofed, save that there was a covering over the bellows. Cornelius Fonda made the iron work for the first thresher built by Nichols & Shepard Co. and in his later years he presented the firm with the hammer with which he did that work; today the implement is to be seen in their office. For many years he followed the blacksmith’s trade and became the first foreman in the blacksmithing department in the Nichols & Shepard shops. He was an expert mechanic and proved a most capable and trusted employee of the house, but about 1850 he retired from active connection with blacksmithing and removed to his farm east of the city. He had there one hundred and five acres of land now comprised within what is now known as the Fonda addition to Battle Creek.

Early Days on the Family Farm

On that property Cornelius spent his remaining days, devoting his energies to the supervision of his agricultural interests. He was a great lover of horses and owned some of the finest running stock to be found in the county. He took great pleasure in testing their ability and he once trained a horse to run without a rider and it made such splendid records that it passed everything on the race track. Mr. Fonda died in 1897, having survived his wife by about three years and his remains were interred by her side in Oak Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Fonda was a member of the Methodist Church and a most estimable lady. Mr. Fonda cast his first presidential ballot in support of the Republican party. Through an active business career he gained an enviable reputation for reliability that made his name an honored one in trade circles.

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Colonel John H. Fonda

John H. Fonda, trader and mail carrier of Prairie du Chien, passes through Chicago in 1825 and will later record his experience: [Lake Peoria] … At length the councils were concluded, and our [Indian] guide signified his willingness to proceed. Under his direction we paddled along until we came to the Des Plaines river, from which we passed into a large slough or lake [Mud Lake] that must have led us into a branch of the Chicago river, for we followed a stream that brought us opposite Fort Dearborn. At this period, Chicago was merely an Indian Agency; it contained about 14 homes, and not more than 75 to 100 inhabitants at the most. An Agent of the American Fur Company, named Gurdon S. Hubbard, then occupied the Fort. The staple business seemed to be carried on by Indians and run-away soldiers, who hunted ducks and muskrats in the marshes. There was a great deal of low land, and mostly destitute of timber. The principal inhabitants were the agent, Mr. Hubbard, a Frenchman by the name of Ouilmette, and John B. Beaubien. It never occurred to me that a large city would be built up there. … But to go on with my story, we departed from Fort Dearborn in a fishing boat and proceeded north along the Lake shore toward Green Bay.

Exploring the Frontier

John H. Fonda returns again during the winter of 1827 and later shares: “… I was mail-carrier in the North-West before there was a white settlement between Prairie du Chien and Fort Snelling. … It was the winter of 27, that the U.S. Quartermaster, having heard of me through some of the men with whom I was a favorite, came to me one day and asked me if I could find the way to Chicago. I told him it wasn’t long since I made the trip by the Lake. He said he wanted a person who was not afraid to carry dispatches to the military post at Fort Dearborn. I said I had heard that the Indians were still unfriendly, but I was ready to make the attempt. … [willing to] carry the mail between Fort Howard, at Green Bay, and Fort Dearborn, commanded by Capt. Morgan, that stood on a point now forming a part of the City of Chicago. …

I chose a companion to go on the tramp with me. He was a Canadian, named Boiseley, a comrade with me for many years. It was in the company of this Boiseley that I presented myself before the Quarter-Master, and reported ourselves ready for the start. He intrusted me with the mail-bag, but a tin canister or box of a flat shape, covered with untanned deer-hide, that contained the dispatches and letters of the inhabitants. … One noon we arrived at the southern terminus of our journey at Fort Dearborn after being on the way for more than a month. It was in January, … and with the exception that the Fort was strengthened and garrisoned, there was no sign of improvement having gone on since my former visit [1825]. This time I was on business, and I advanced up to the sally-port with a sense of my importance, was challenged by the sentry, and an orderly conducted me to the Adjutant’s office, where I reported myself as the bearer of dispatches for the commanding officer. Captain Morgan was in the office, and, advancing, intimated that he was that person and took the case of letters, directing me to await his further orders. Getting a pass, I went outside the palisades to a house built on the half-breed system partly of logs and partly of boards. This house was kept by a Mr. Miller, who lived in it with his family. Here Boisely and I put up during the time we were in the settlement. I received my orders from Morgan about the 23d of January, and prepared to return with other letters. We started up one branch of the Chicago river, and after leaving this we followed the Des Plaines, taking pretty much the same way we had come.”

Winnebago Indian Skirmishes

Concerning the removal of the Winnebago’s, John H. Fonda says: “During the year 1848, just previous to the adoption of the State Constitution, the Winnebago Indians were scattered through the country along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, through the Kickapoo timbers, and the Lemonweir Valley. Orders came from the sub-Indian agent, J E Fletcher, to collect and remove them to their Reservation, near Fort Atkinson, Iowa.”

“In 1848, when orders were received at Fort Crawford to remove the Winnebago’s, several attempts were made to do so, but with poor success. Early in the same year I received the following official letter:”

Office Sub-Indian Agent, Turkey River, Jan. 4, 1848

Sir: In answer to your inquiry respecting the disposition to be made of the Winnebago Indians, who may be found wandering about through the country, I have to say that I wish you to arrest them, cause them to be securely guarded, and report them to me as early as may be practicable. Very respectfully your obedient servant, J E Fletcher, Indian Agent.”

“To Lieut. —, Commanding Ft. Crawford, Wisconsin Territory

Upon receipt of the above, I made all necessary preparation, and started with fifty men to collect the Indians. This attempt was quite successful, and several hundred were arrested, and sent to Fort Atkinson, Iowa. It may appear strange to some persons that such a handful of men could take many hundred Indians prisoners, and guard them day and night as we traveled through a wild unsettled country; but it was done, and I have a list of names of those men who accompanied me on that expedition. My journal, kept during the time we were hunting the Indians, presents numerous interesting items, only one or two of which, I will relate…”

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Giles. H. Fonda Drug Store Boulder, Colorado, 1880's

Having purchased a suit of clothes, he had four 5 cent shinplasters as his only capital; one of which he managed to hold on to. At the depot his mother handed him three $5.00 bills. He arrived in Denver too late to go on to Boulder, leaving the next afternoon at 4 p.m. via The Boulder Valley, and arriving at the depot on 24th Street about 6 p.m. on may 6, 1874. The fare was $2.40. He walked to town, carrying his belongings in a square wooden tobacco box. He went to the store of his brother Giles, whom he had not seen for eight years; his brother recognized him immediately. He was conducting a drug and stationery store which later was the Fonda Building, at 1216-18 Pearl Street. Worked for his brother at $10.00 per month and board; slept on the floor with the dog for company. Later, the brother moved the drug stock to Leadville, and George continued in business with the stationery stock, and gradually worked into the drug business at the age of 18. The brother later returned to Boulder and they were again in business together. He acquired the building and remained in business at that place until 1919.

He married Mary E. Jones November 26, 1879 at Nederland. Took the Rev. Thomas V. Wilson with him in a two-horse rig, starting at 6 a.m. through six inches of fresh snow. At Boulder Falls they met a messenger from Caribou who wished the Rev. Wilson to conduct a funeral in Boulder that same day. They hurried on to Nederland and the ceremony was advanced to 11 a.m.

Center of Town, Boulder, Colorado - 1880's (Fonda's Drug Store on left)

No marriage license was required. The funeral party from Caribou waited in Nederland until the marriage ceremony was performed. He returned to Boulder the same evening with his wife. Started housekeeping at his own home at 17th and Spruce streets, which he had acquired with money presented him by backers in foot races which he had won. A sister had prepared a supper mainly of oyster stew, and that had been the anniversary supper menu for fifty-two years.

Although he never had a music lesson, he played in the Boulder Band, a E Flat Base Tuba about 1876. He played in all the events of Boulder and surrounding towns, and took parts in amateur theatricals and comic operas: Poobah in Mikado; Major General in Pirates of Penzance; Bob Acress in The Rivals; was also in Pinafore.

Boulder Sports

He sung “The Vacant Chair” at Lodge of Sorrow and funerals for the Elks for thirty-five years. Joined Macky Hose Team in 1875 and was the first foreman. For many years took part in Firemen’s Tournaments, locally and in various places in Colorado. Was famous as an expert plug man, and was instrumental in winning numerous championships for Boulder, at one time holding a world’s record. Chiefly responsible for the justification of the slogan “Boulder in the West Test.”

In 1878, went to Chicago with Bates Hose Team of Denver. Won many long-distance races, 200 to 400 yards. Never bet on himself, but was liberally compensated by admiring backers. Was Fire Chief of Boulder for many years, under volunteer and paid departments. Largely instrumental in having a paid fire department installed. Always went to fires at any and all times of night and day. Played baseball on the Boulder team from the time of his arrival in Boulder for many years and in various of the surrounding towns; played first base. Played lawn tennis with various of Boulder’s expert players. Played football on a town team organized to give practice to the Varsity. Hunted big game in various parts of Colorado; fished all over the State, and made trips East to fish on the Illinois, Mississippi, and Kentucky Rivers.

George Fonda was always a Democrat. He became acquainted with Gov. Elect James H. Peabody on a quail hunting trip to Texas, and shortly after the inauguration was appointed a Colonel on the Governor’s staff. He served as a member of the Court in the famous General Chase Court-Martial proceedings; served as alderman of the City of Boulder, and was a candidate for County Treasurer on the Democratic ticket; served as Director and vice-president of the First National Bank for a number of years. George built his residence at 2135 8th Street, Boulder Colorado, in 1901; joined Columbia Lodge No. 14 in 1883; worshipful Master in 1888; shortly thereafter made a Royal Arch Mason and received the Order of the Temple in 1885; treasurer of Mt. Sinai Commandery in 1913.

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1. Jellis Adam Fonda; Gunstocker; born 1670, died 8-Sep-1737 at 67 years of age; b. Albany, New, York; Jellis was in Albany in 1697, and Schenectady, 1700-20. In 1777, a Petition was sent to the New York Provincial Legislature to split Albany Co. into two counties to create the new county of Tryon, after Gov. Wm. Tryon. Many of those same men who signed were Loyalists. Jellis Fonda, Douw Fonda, Arent Bradt (among many other names and many were illegible).
2. Jellis Douw Fonda; Innkeeper, Distiller, Blacksmith; born 1614, died 1659 at 45 years of age; Jellis Douwes Fonda (1614-1659) emigrated to America from Aegum (Agum), Friesland, Netherlands in about 1649. He had his wife, Hester and three young children upon arrival in Fort Orange (now Albany, New York) in 1651. Jellis had been an innkeeper in Agum, and was a brandy distiller and a Blacksmith in America. His date of death is uncertain, but must have been before Hester remarried, in 1660; see Stories for more…
3. Jellis Jacob Fonda; Gunstocker, Revolutionary War Officer (Major); born 13-Jan-1751, died 1839 at 88 years of age; b. Schenectady, New York; d. Glenville, New York; see Stories for more…
4. John Cornelius Fonda; Carder (Cotton Mill), Inventor; born 12-Jan-1813, died 1-Jul-1896 at 83 years of age; b. Kinderhook, Columbia, New York; 1880 United States Census, Cohoes, Albany, New York; res. Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., New York; New York State Patent No. 8261 John C. Fonda, Albany, Albany Co., improvement in machines for grinding flock (pulp grinder), 7/29/1851.
5. Pieter Jellise Fonda; Tanner; born 6-Mar-1711, died 25-Sep-1775 at 64 years of age; b. Schenectady, Albany Co., New York; lived on southerly side of State St. and Mill Lane and had his vats in rear of his lot.

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Born in Fonda, Montgomery Co., NY; bp. Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga, NY; 1860 Census, Williamsport, Lycoming Co., PA; 1870 Census Milton, Northumberland Co., PA; 1880 Census, Chillisquaque, Northumberland Co., PA; d. Milton, PA; o. Railroad Superintendent/Engineer, Civil War Colonel, Farmer, Banker

Fonda, Henry A., of Milton, Pa., president of the First National Bank of that place and an enterprising and public spirited citizen, was born in the town of Fonda, Montgomery County, NY, which town derived its name from one of his ancestors. After graduating from the district schools of his native place, he entered the Homer, N. Y., Academy, where he devoted two years to the study of the higher branches of English. The science of engineering possessed an attraction for him and at the age of seventeen he adopted it as his life work, entering upon his labors as an assistant in an engineering corps on the Utica and Syracuse railroad. From this road he passed in a short time to the Erie, on which he held at first the position of rod-man, but later on that of superintendent of construction on the section between Corning and Hornellsville. In different capacities, some of them involving great responsibilities, he remained with the Erie road about six years.

Railroad Superintendent & Engineer

Upon leaving it he engaged with the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls road, as superintendent of construction and repairs. After filling this post two years he removed to Pennsylvania and accepted the position of superintendent of construction on the Catawissa railroad, then thirty-five miles in extent. After being promoted to the position of assistant superintendent, and being advanced from that office to the responsible post of general superintendent of the road, he closed his connection with it (then of five years’ duration), to accept the office of general superintendent of the Elmira and Williamsport railroad, to the duties of which he devoted the ensuing three years. In 1864 he became general superintendent of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg railroad, then under control of the Delaware and Western Railroad Company.

After serving this corporation five years he took a contract to build a railroad from Carbondale to Susquehanna. This contract being completed he took service with the Delaware and Hudson railroad, as general superintendent, and was placed in charge of all the lines of this large corporation from Carbondale, Pa., to Whitehall and Rutland, Vt. At the expiration of four years’ steady service under this company, he retired from active duty and took up his residence in Philadelphia, where he spent several years. In 1887 he removed to Milton, where he established a permanent residence. Having definitely relinquished engineering pursuits, he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. He is now the owner of a large stock farm and residence on Cayuga lake, near Aurora, and also of five extensive stock farms in the vicinity of Milton. His barn on the largest farm on Cayuga Lake is the finest in the state.

Henry Adam Fonda

Mr. Fonda has paid particular attention to the breeding of Hambletonian stock and has raised many notable specimens of this strain. His success in this later departure in farming and stock-raising is extremely gratifying to him. In them he finds agreeable and interesting relaxation, which is both welcome and beneficial after so many years of active and absorbing railroad life. Since 1885 Mr. Fonda has been president of the First National Bank of Milton, and he divides his time between his duties as a financier and the agreeable occupation of a “gentleman farmer.” His habits are those of a thorough business man, everything confided to his charge being attended to thoroughly and with the strictest regard for the interest of others, as well as respect for their rights.

At a time when real estate in Chicago was low in value and on the rise, he invested largely in property in that city, and has reaped a rich reward as a result of his enterprise and sagacity in this field. After the disastrous conflagration which in 1880 destroyed so large an amount of property in Milton, Mr. Fonda promptly loaned quite an amount of money to rebuild the place, and through this wise and timely action on his part it has rapidly recovered from the damaging blow it sustained, and is making rapid strides to a more prosperous and advanced condition. His public spirited action in this and other matters has had a weighty influence upon the business interests of Milton, and has earned for him a reward in the general prosperity which gratifies him far more than any pecuniary advantage he may eventually reap in consequence. Mr. Fonda started in life without means and has reached his present financial independence and leading position as a citizen, solely through his own unaided enterprise and ability. So far from this fact operating to close his heart to the claims of his less fortunate fellowmen, it seems to exert just the contrary effect, for it is well known that many who were struggling have been helped by his generosity, extended willingly and from a sense of duty as a steward of wealth,

Gentleman Farmer & Banker

rather than through any desire for notoriety or subsequent reward. Men gifted with such admirable qualities raise the standard of life and living, both for themselves and all who dwell within reach of their influence, and may justly be styled the pillars of the community – the strong supports of the higher ideas of duty and citizenship prevailing in a free and enlightened country. Every dollar of Mr. Fonda’s wealth has been amassed by straightforward business operations. Disdaining sharp practices and resolutely declining them, he nevertheless acquired means far in excess of many who descended to petty if not more culpable methods.

He lives in a manner commensurate with his ample fortune and social position, and not the least of his satisfaction is the consciousness that his success with all that it brings, is the outcome of an upright business life. His farms adjoining the town of Milton, containing in all 700 acres, are models, and upon them is to be found some of the finest stock in the state. In addition to his connection with the First National Bank, he is a director in several other banks, and also of the Elmira and Williamsport railroad company. He has never accepted any political office nor had any aspirations in that direction, but held a commission as colonel on Governor Pollock’s staff during his term as governor of the state of Pennsylvania. Modest and retiring in disposition, he avoids rather than courts notoriety, although never withholding his name or influence from any enterprise having for its object the benefit of mankind. His charities are bestowed quietly, and to many he has been a true friend in times of panic and distress.

Mr. Fonda married, on January 1, 1862, Miss Caroline Louisa Brown, daughter of Isaac Brown, a prominent merchant of Milton. His only child, a son, Lawrence B. Fonda, who was educated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, has recently joined the Sons of the Revolution through that patriotic record which has been so faithfully won by his ancestors. Mr. Fonda’s grandfather (Henry Fonda) served as a captain in the War of 1812, and his great-grandfather (Adam Fonda) was lieutenant-colonel under General Herkimer at the Oriskany battle. Adam Fonda was a son of Douw Fonda, who was slain by the Tories during Sir John Johnson’s raid in 1780. What a debt our country owes to this ancient patriotism!

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Born along the Mohawk River in Sand Flats, Montgomery County, New York, John came to Hancock County, Illinois with his parents in 1835. The greater portion of his life was spent as a surveyor and civil engineer. Appointed by the County Court as one of three commissioners to lay off and divide Hancock County into townships in 1850, he was paid an additional $2.50 for making a plat of the county.

Illinois Cavalry - Mexican & Civil War

In 1847 he enlisted as a private in Capt. Stapp’s company of Illinois Mounted Volunteers and went to Mexico. At the close of the war, the following year, he was discharged as a Lieutenant. In 1849, he was married to Mary McConnell, and the same year was elected County Surveyor and settled in Carthage; lived there until 1854, when he moved to Warsaw and was appointed an assistant engineer on the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad.

Surveyor and Engineer

In July 1861, he entered the United States Volunteer Service as a Lieutenant in Capt. B. F. Marsh’s Company of 2d Illinois Cavalry. In January, 1862, he was appointed Major of the 12th Illinois Cavalry, and soon after placed in command of Camp Butler, near Springfield. In October he was made Colonel of the 118th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and in December went with his regiment to Louisiana, where he served most of the time in command of a brigade until the close of the war. With his regiment he participated in all the battles about Vicksburg. After the fall of Vicksburg he had command of a cavalry brigade, and was brevetted Brigadier-General.

After the close of the war, in 1866, General Fonda settled on a farm near Fountain Green in Hancock County, Illinois. In July, 1877, he was appointed a Commissioner of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary. In September 1879, he was appointed Chief Engineer to construct levees between Warsaw and Quincy, to protect the low lands from overflow. The early pages of Fonda’s diary tell briefly how he was reassigned to various positions, until he finally became a Colonel of the 118th Regiment. In the rest of the diary he tells of his entire military experience in that capacity.

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Proprietor of Dr. Fonda’s Medicines, and a gifted speaker and writer; D. B. Fonda, M.D., physician and surgeon, took a full classical course at the Lisha’s Kill Academy, and after graduating removed to central New York, where he engaged in teaching some four years, at the same time pursuing advanced studies in mental and moral philosophy under Professor F. D. Pierce.

Civil War Surgeon 89th Illinois Infantry

In 1885, he removed to Cook County, Ill., where he engaged in railroading for a time, his health necessitating outdoor employment. He subsequently took the agency in Chicago of the West Elgin Flour Company, a position he retained until the stoppage of the mills in the spring of 1858. He then engaged in teaching at Rose Hill until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, 89th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After the battle of Perryville he was placed in charge of an ambulance train and shortly afterward appointed to one of the hospitals at Bardstown, Kentucky.

In July, 1863, he was honorably discharged and, returning to Rose Hill, shortly afterward entered Rush Medical College, attending lectures in 1863-64-65 and 1866. The breaking out of the cholera epidemic and consequent death of Dr. Brainard and other members of the faculty caused him to quit the college. In 1867 he engaged in practice, at the same time being appointed county physician, a position he retained until 1871. During this time he attended one course of lectures at the Bennett Medical College, from which he graduated. He was elected a member of the Board of Trustees for Jefferson Township in 1874 a position he retained until 1877, being president of the board during the entire period. He then graduated from the Eclectic College of Medicine & Surgery, Chicago, 1878. He was elected health officer when tire ordinance passed in 1880, and elected a member of the school board in the spring of 1883, still filling both of these latter offices.

Safecracker Nabbed

“A Mysterious Impulse”, Chicago Tribune, Aug 3, 1887

Lawyer M. H. Reynolds, of Jefferson, went to his friend Dr. D. B. Fonda’s house, in that town, early Sunday afternoon, to help in making out some business papers. And together they worked for several hours. Suddenly Dr. Fonda looked up and exclaimed: “Mark, I’ve got an idea somebody’s about the store – something’s wrong with the safe. Just put on your hat and come along. I’m going to see about this.” They started together, Dr. Fonda leading the way until his drug store, in the centre of the village, was reached. They unlocked the door, and on the moment of their entrance they heard a rustle. The druggist walked around the prescription counter, and there caught a six-foot thief bent down so that the top of his head just showed over some vases. Fonda ran to grapple him, but the thief dashed around the prescription counter again and into the front of the store with his hands fall of five-dollar and ten-dollar bills. Here the lawyer clinched him, the two rolling with the money on the floor. Their cries brought help, and the thief was overpowered and $200 in bills taken from him. Before Justice Heustis the prisoner told how be had climbed in through a side window in the afternoon, almost under the noses of the people on the street, and opened the safe, and how he had the money in the store all in his possession and was ready to go when the key rattled in the door and his captors entered.

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Civil War Soldier, Farmer, Innkeeper, Deputy Postmaster, Railroad Agent, Personal Secretary; born in Poughkeepsie, New York. William was reared to the occupation of farming and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturalist. He was educated in the public schools and after putting aside his text books assumed the management of his father’s farm which he operated while the father and brother worked in the shops of Nichols Shepard in the city.

Steam Railroad Ticket Agent - 1870's

He continued to occupy the homestead until 1861 when his father purchased what is now the Clifton Hotel and then Mr. Fonda, senior, in connection with his son William Henry, conducted the business for a year and a half. It was purchased at the price of twenty-seven hundred dollars.. and eighteen months later was sold for seventy-five hundred dollars.

After leaving the hotel business, William H. Fonda became deputy postmaster and filled that position in a most creditable manner for nine years under five different postmasters. In 1873 he became private secretary to President Dibble of the old Peninsular Railway Company, now the Grand Trunk, and continued with him for five years. Since that time Mr. Fonda had served as ticket agent for the Grand Trunk Railroad, and was also cashier of the freight department and ticket agent for the Michigan Central Railroad.

In 1865, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fonda and Miss Mary E. Caldwell of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and unto them had been born one child, Helen M., who is now the wife of Edson D. Clarage, manager of the Crucible Steel Company of America at Cleveland, Ohio. They also have a daughter, Eleanor. Mr. Fonda gives his political support to the Republican party and his wife is identified with the Presbyterian Church. They are both people of sterling worth and the hospitality of many of the best homes of the county is graciously and freely accorded them.

Battle Creek, Michigan - 1890

Mr. Fonda served as city assessor of Battle Creek for three years, but had never been active in search for office, preferring to devote his time and energies to business affairs. He is now a stockholder of the Agricultural Company and gives considerable attention to the supervision of his realty interests. In 1892 he platted the Fonda addition, which is one of the most desirable additions to the city.

With the growth of Battle Creek there came a demand for further property within its border and the old family homestead was subdivided and is now upon the market. Already much of this had been sold, but Mr. Fonda still retained valuable property holdings, both in the city and country.

No history of the pioneer families of Calhoun county would be complete without mention of our subject who for sixty-five years had been a witness of the growth and development of this locality. He had seen the forests cut down and the wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, while in their midst, cities and villages have sprung up, having all the advantages of the older east. In the work of progress and improvement he had taken a just pride in what had been accomplished and by reason of his success in Business and his unblemished character he may well be called one of the leading citizens of Battle Creek.

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Ten Eyck was born in Fonda, New York, and served as a United States Army telegrapher during the Civil War. He moved his family to Illinois and then Nebraska in 1878 for railroad work and he died in Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska.

Telegraphers served under the quartermaster and were mostly civilians. Although they were integral parts of the army and vitally important to the country, they were unfortunately not given the same status as soldiers. The job was perilous, and in the course of the war over three hundred telegraphers lost their lives in the line of duty. Ten Eyck Hilton Fonda, called “Nike” by family and friends, was one of the young men responsible for the Union’s telegraphic lifeline. In the days just before the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as the Union and Confederate armies groped toward one another, Fonda was the telegrapher who received an urgent message from Washington; he recounted his experience to a local newspaper in Omaha, Nebraska, 50 years later (1913). The newspaper printed the text of the telegram:

Civil War Telegrapher "the agent that began the conflict"

To Major General Meade, Commanding Army of the Potomac: On March: The advance guard of the confederate army under General Early have entirely evacuated Wrightsville and other points on the Susquehanna river, and are making a forced march to join General Lee’s main army at a point between Hanover and Gettysburg – part of their forces now at Hanover – and they confidently expect to be able to form a junction with General Lee’s main army not later than tomorrow evening. Circumstances and conditions permitting, I would urge you to assume the offensive is quickly as possible on Lee’s divided forces. – E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

At midnight June 30, 1863, Fonda personally delivered the telegram transcription from Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to General George Meade of the Union Army warning him of the advancing Confederate Army under Robert E. Lee toward Gettysburg and commanding Meade to assume the offensive. Fonda is credited with delivering this important warning, which allowed the Union armies to prepare for the approaching Confederates. An Omaha, Nebraska newspaper, during the fifty-year reunion of the battle of Gettysburg, named Fonda “the agent that began the conflict.”

Fonda described his “every effort” in this letter to his brother (Douw Henry Fonda), written on telegraph message blanks: My Dear Brother, I suppose you have had plenty of war news of late as I have sent many pages by telegraph within the last two days. The report of today’s Herald from Carpenter (I suppose it’s published I sent it to Washington to censor) was I think sublime. He wrote it here in office flanked on the right by a bottle of bourbon whiskey (to keep his ideas bright) and on the other side by seven or eight noisy operators. From some cause our line has not been built from here to the front. This being the nearest telegraph office to the army our business is immense. When the army moved forward from this place there were no troops left here not even an orderly to carry dispatches to the front.

Dispatch for General Meade - Battle of Gettysburg - 1863

On the 30th Washington War dept. received an important dispatch from Gen. Couch at Harrisburg [Pennsylvania] informing Secy. Stanton that the enemy were falling back from Harrisburg and were concentrating at Gettysburg and to inform Gen. Meade in any way possible. I was the individual selected to carry it to Gen. Meade. Having rode from Leesburg the day before I felt rather unlimbered but consented to go without any excuses – I left here at one o’clock a.m. – full moon making the night almost day. I had little or no thought of reaching Meade’s Headquarters as the country was full of the Rebel scouting parties and we did not know exactly where Headquarters were but supposed somewhere in the neighborhood of Middleburg 25 miles from here.

I had orders to spare nothing, horseflesh and money was of no account if I would only deliver the message. I tell you I made the old horse get. To Woodburg 12 miles I made in less than an hour as I heard a clock strike 2 as I was watering my horse.

Thus far I had not met a single person. I saw one straggler asleep along the road, four miles from this place I heard some one coming towards me at last. I saw him coming on a walk one of our men I suppose he was dressed in our uniform – saber carbine & revolver. I was going 240 and halted within twenty feet of him and halted him, he said friend – I saw his heart was way up in his mouth and too scared to do much damage. I rode up to him and asked him the way to Headquarters, which he said was Middleburg. The horse was exhausting heavy now. His feet & mouth made noise enough for a whole cavalry regiment. I soon came into Middleburg but my spirits were soon dampened by finding the last of the army had passed through there that day at four o’clock some towards Tullytown, others to the left & right. I thought Headquarters would keep the centre and made for Tullytown, seven miles away. Three miles this side of that place I came to a train of wagons parked – many pickets had they out on this road. I learned Gen. Meade’s Headquarters were one mile beyond Tarrytown – which place I reached delivering the message to him in person taking a receipt timed at 5.15. He gave me a fresh horse and an escort of fifty cavalry and I came back same day.

Secy. Stanton sent me a message thanking me kindly for energy &c. but I suppose he has forgot it by this time. When you read this destroy it for if you send it home every man Father comes across he will show it to. It is quite natural – but I don’t want to become notorious. I shall probably be home in a month or two to remain for a short time, Love to all. Ever Your Bro., Nike. Frederick Md., July 4th 1863.

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