TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Thomas Bonner, a Civil War officer who later served as speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, is remembered by a state historical marker in Tyler.
Bonner was born in Mississippi in 1838 and moved with his family to Marshall in 1849. He served in the Civil War as a colonel and fought in the Battle of Saline. After the war, he returned to Marshall to study law.
Following his admission to the state bar, Bonner moved to Tyler, where he worked as a banker and railroad director. He was elected to the Texas Legislature in 1876 and served as speaker of the house.
Bonner died at the age of 52 in Tyler.
A state historical marker honoring Bonner was erected in 1965. It stands in front of Bonner Elementary, his namesake school, at the intersection of South Saunders Avenue and East Earle Street in Tyler.
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