Josiah Bonney was born February 14, 1817 in Steuben County, New York. His father died the following summer and soon after that his mother moved to Tioga County, New York. At the age of fourteen he went to Elmira, New York, where he clerked in the dry goods business for about four years. In the fall of 1838 he emigrated west, where he settled about three miles from Keosauqua, Iowa. There he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1840 he was elected sheriff and thereafter he held many positions, including County Clerk, State Legislator, Secretary of State, Commissioner for the Improvement of the Des Moines River, and steward of the poor farm. On May 20, 1841, he was married to Orpha F. Stannard. They had six children: Mary J., Anna A., Arma F., Orpha, Estella R., and C. Hinman.