Children of George R. Bonzo and Margaret Rauscher:
Notes for George and Margaret:
GEORGE R. BONZO was born January 15, 1815 in Brush Creek area near Unionville, New Sewickley Township, Beaver county, Pa., USA, and died May 06, 1886 in Brush Creek area near Unionville, New Sewickley Township, Beaver county, Pa., USA. He married MARGARET RAUSCHER January 14, 1840, daughter of GEORGE RAUSCHER and MARGARET UNKNOWN. She was born July 15, 1822 in Germany, and died September 14, 1889 in Brush Creek area near Unionville, New Sewickley Township, Beaver county, Pa., USA.
GEORGE R. BONZO:
CENSUS: 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
George was born at Brush Creek and married Margaret Rauscher who was born in Germany. He died in New Sewickley Township. It is interesting to note that during this generation on Bonzons, the "N" was dropped from the family name leaving the family from that point on to be known as "BONZO". No one knows for certain why the "N" was dropped. One possible reason is that when Bonzon is spoken with a french accent, the "N" at the end is silent. People who heard the name, possibly pronounced by Pierre or his sons were not hearing the "N" because of the accent. Eventually the "N" was lost forever in the United States. Relatives living in Pompaples, Switzerland today still go by "Bonzon.
Charles and George remained in New Sewickley Township and became very successful farmers. Their brother, Peter Lewis, became a successful farmer and horse breeder in North Sewickley Township. There was much visiting between families, some even stayed years with each other.
There are today in the Brush Creek area, some Bunzo's. According to family lore, the second or third generation picked up the local accent, and, due to a strict schoolmarm, Bunzo was born. All of the Bonzo's in the "Brush Crick" area today will occasionally slip and pronounce the name Bunzo. George spelled his name "Bunzo" until the 1860's.
'History of Beaver County', (Warner, 1888, pg.750---"George Bonzo was a farmer of New Sewickley Township, where he was born Jan. 15, 1815...a son of Lewis (sic) and Margaret (sic) Bonzo, who were natives of France, and came to America after their marriage and settled in Butler County whence they removed to Beaver County...George Bonzo was married Jan. 14, 1840 to Margaret Rauscher, who was born in Germany July 15, 1822, and came to America in 1835 with her parents George and Margaret Rauscher, who settled in Beaver County, and from there moved to Tennessee, where they died...Mr. Bonzo was a farmer all his life and at one time owned 300 acres...was a member of the Lutheran Church...was a Republican."
George and Margaret are buried at Zelienople (English Lutheran) cemetery in Zelienople, Jackson Township, Butler County, Pa. Their stone (more like a monument) states, 'George Bonzo died May 06, 1886 71 yrs. 03 m. 21 d. (there is also an inscription that will need rubbing to be deciphered).' Margaret's side reads 'Margaret wife of George Bonzo died Sept. 14, 1889 aged 67 yrs. 2 m. Them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.'"
MARGARET RAUSCHER:
CENSUS: 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
Birth date is from Warners 1888 History of Beaver County. Cemetery information in Beaver Falls Carnegie Library. Other info is from Bonzo family researchers.
