{"id":1879,"date":"2026-05-18T12:29:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T12:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/bonadurer-usa\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T08:00:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T08:00:15","slug":"bonadurer-usa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/bonadurer-usa\/","title":{"rendered":"Bonadurer USA"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\u2014 Home \u00b7 Bonadurer worldwide \u00b7 USA<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Bonadurer worldwide \u00b7 America<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Bonadurer USA<\/em>.<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Versam and Zillis to Chicago, La Crosse, Utah and California \u2014 the American Bonadurers and their letters to Roland.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Emigration to what is now the United States was very irregular. Peak years of emigration were 1844, 1846, the 1850s and the early 1870s. In between \u2014 in the 1860s and from the 1880s onward \u2014 only a few individuals went overseas. <\/p>

Peter Bonadurer \u00b7 Chur\u2013Chicago \u00b7 May 9, 1882<\/h3>

From the travel contract \u201cSchneebeli & Cie\u201d: Peter Bonadurer (b. 1841) set out on May 9, 1882, with his wife Ursula (31) and the children Peter (3) and Ursula (1\u00bd) on the journey from Chur to Chicago.<\/p>

Martin Bonadurer of Versam \u00b7 Zillis<\/h3>

Martin Bonadurer of Versam married Margreth Fravi of Farden in 1860 (b. 1832, d. 1904 in Zillis). They settled in Zillis. Children: Christian (1860), Lazarus (1861), Johann (1863), Martin (1864), Christian (1866), Peter (1868 \u2014 Roland\u2019s great-grandfather)<\/strong>, Julius (1869). Of these, Lazarus and Christian certainly emigrated to America \u2014 their descendants are being sought. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Known branches in the USA<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
La Crosse, Wisconsin<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chicago, Illinois<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
St. George, Utah<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Galena, Illinois<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lodi \/ Sacramento, CA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minneapolis, Minnesota<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zizers GR (via USA)<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Documents<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
USA phone book 2007<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Correspondence from America<\/h2>\n

Letters & emails to Roland Bonadurer \u00b7 1997\u20132008<\/p>\n\n

Bob Bonadurer \u00b7 Minneapolis, MNLa Crosse \/ Minneapolis \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Letter from Bob Bonadurer, ETornoET@aol.com \u00b7 September 29, 1999 \u00b7 Minneapolis Planetarium<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Christian Bonadurer \u2014 great-grandfather<\/h3>\n

My great-grandfather Christian Bonadurer came from Switzerland in the late 19th century and settled in La Crosse. I believe he came from a family of eight children \u2014 seven sons and one daughter. Four of the eight emigrated together. <\/p>\n\n

William Bonadurer \u2014 grandfather<\/h3>\n

Christian had one son (grandfather William Bonadurer) and three daughters. William had one son (William Jr., my father) and one daughter. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters. <\/p>\n

\u201cFeel free to e-mail back \u2014 great to hear from a Bonadurer. Let me know if you know anything about the family of 8.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

Daniel Bonadurer \u00b7 MontanaLa Crosse \/ Montana \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Letter from Daniel Bonadurer \u00b7 May 24, 2000<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Christian Bonadurer \u2014 great-grandfather<\/h3>\n

My great-grandfather Christian Bonadurer settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he is also buried \u2014 with a German inscription on the gravestone.<\/p>\n

Dan is the youngest of seven siblings. At 33, he lives in Montana and drives a semi-truck. Reto Bonadurer from Zurich (son of Johann, grandson of Peter, remaining Swiss line) visited him in Montana and his siblings in St. Paul and La Crosse. <\/p>\n

\u201cLong ago, c. 1986, pre-Internet, I located Reto in the Zurich phone book. It is from that point that I began to learn so much more about my family.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Dan asked whether older letters between the American and Swiss branches of the family have been preserved.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

Betty Jane Bonadurer \u00b7 Galena, ILGalena \/ La Crosse \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Various letters to Roli, 2000\u20132008<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Martin Bonadurer of Galena \u00b7 b. 1848<\/h3>\n

My great-grandfather Martin Bonadurer came from Galena, Illinois. He and his brother Andreas (b. 1846) immigrated to the USA together in the 1870s. Where Andreas settled is unknown. <\/p>\n

Martin was first married to an Italian woman; they had two sons. The wife and the sons died in a flu epidemic and are buried in Galena. Martin then married Carrie Dorr and had six children \u2014 my grandfather George Martin was probably the second son. <\/p>\n\n

Peter Steier from Savognin \u2014 letters from the 1950s<\/h3>\n

I found letters from the nephew Peter Steier from Savognin; his mother was Agnes Bonadurer (died 1922). The Steier family was large \u2014 farmers in the area. Peter Steier contacted the Swiss Consulate in Chicago to obtain my grandfather\u2019s address. <\/p>\n\n

George Martin Bonadurer \u2014 grandfather<\/h3>\n

Grandfather George Martin Bonadurer. His last known Swiss relative was Agnes (or Anna?), who married a Stier \/ Steier and lived in Zillis. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy great-grandfather Martin Bonadurer could speak four languages as well as had the ability to yodel and sing opera.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

Pat Bonadurer \u00b7 La Crosse, WILa Crosse \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Pat Bonadurer \u00b7 La Crosse, Wisconsin<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Bill Bonadurer Sr. \u2014 co-founder of the \u201cGrandad Sky Rockers\u201d<\/h3>\n

The Grandad Sky Rockers<\/em> are a nonprofit volunteer organization for fireworks and pyrotechnic special effects in the La Crosse, Wisconsin area, founded in 1929.<\/p>\n

Bill Bonadurer Sr. was one of the Original 10<\/em> who, in 1929 \u2014 shortly after Black Friday \u2014 each put up 10 dollars out of their own pocket to buy fireworks and establish the tradition of the New Year\u2019s Eve fire from Grandad\u2019s Bluff.<\/p>\n

Pat Bonadurer<\/strong>, president of the organization. Contact: bonatreepat@aol.com \u00b7 PO Box 2223, La Crosse, WI 54602-2223 USA. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

George Lawrence Bonadurer \u00b7 Lodi, CAChicago \/ Sacramento \/ Lodi \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Letter from Larry Bonadurer, lbonadurer@iglide.net \u00b7 February 2001 and January 2003<\/em><\/p>\n\n

George Lawrence Bonadurer \u00b7 b. June 4, 1936<\/h3>\n

Lives near Lodi, California. Wife: Carol Lynn Mason (b. April 28, 1940). Daughter: Jacqueline Colette Bonadurer-Rowland (b. March 19, 1963). Son: Christopher Lawrence Bonadurer (b. October 23, 1965, lives in Chino, CA). <\/p>\n\n

Father \u2014 George Henry Bonadurer \u00b7 b. June 16, 1912<\/h3>\n

No siblings. Mother: Letty Magdeline Law (b. June 19, 1912). Died 1999. <\/p>\n\n

Grandfather \u2014 George Martin Bonadurer \u00b7 b. July 6, 1887, Chicago<\/h3>\n

One sister: Margarite Bonadurer. Father: Henry Bonadurer. Mother: Annie Kelly. \u2014 George Martin became a firefighter; he died in 1916\/17 during the flu epidemic. His mother moved with him to Sacramento, CA, after his father was killed in the Chicago area during the railroad strike. <\/p>\n

\u201cI am living well in retirement. We have been to Europe twice but I never thought of looking for family. Maybe next time. The Bonadurer name in our family may end soon.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

John Bonadurer \u00b7 Minneapolis, MNChicago \/ Minneapolis \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Emails from John Martin Bonadurer III, bondo3@msn.com \u00b7 January 2007<\/em><\/p>\n\n

John Martin Bonadurer III<\/h3>\n

Son of George Fred Bonadurer (b. 1932 in Chicago).<\/p>\n\n

Grandfather \u2014 John Martin Bonadurer \u00b7 b. c. 1887, d. 1938, Chicago <\/h3>\n

Sister: Anastasia Bonadurer. Married to Barbara Werner (b. c. 1890 in Canada, d. 1957). Eleven children: Lena, Margaret, Barbara, Ruth, Annie, Mary Ann (died young), George, Peter, Phillip, Edward and John Martin II (killed in Normandy, World War II). <\/p>\n\n

Connection to Switzerland<\/h3>\n

John was in contact with Johann Bonadurer (then 82 years old) from Zillis, Graub\u00fcnden (address: M\u00fchle, CH-7432 Zillis). Johann has unfortunately since passed away. <\/p>\n

John asked about the Bonadurer coat of arms: a stained-glass window with the Bonadurer coat of arms could be seen on the website \u2014 he wanted to know where this window is located and what the coat of arms means.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look forward to seeing if the Bonadurer puzzle gets more completed.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Utah & Graub\u00fcnden<\/h2>\n
Martin Henry Bonadurer III \u00b7 St. George, UTSt. George, Utah \u00b7 5 generations \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Letter from Ellen Bonadurer, bonadure@dixie.edu \u00b7 September 1997<\/em><\/p>\n

My name is Ellen Bonadurer. I am married for 24 years to Martin. 2 children: JoAnna (21) and David (16). <\/p>\n\n

1st generation \u2014 Martin Henry Bonadurer III \u00b7 b. 1951 Las Vegas, Nevada<\/h3>\n

Owner of a telecommunications company in St. George, Utah. Married 1973 to Ellen McCleve. Children: Jo Anna (b. 1976, married Michael Maclennan) and David Oliver (b. 1980). <\/p>\n\n

2nd generation \u2014 Martin Henry Bonadurer Jr. \u00b7 b. 1926 Roanoke, Virginia <\/h3>\n

Civil engineer in St. George, Utah. Died September 19, 1998, Salt Lake City, Utah. Married 1950 to Rula Barton (died 1992). Served in World War II. Children: William (b. 1950), Betty Jane, Martin Henry III, Alice Mavis (b. 1953), Sherri Rene (b. 1956), Michael Ronald (b. 1965). <\/p>\n\n

3rd generation \u2014 Martin Henry Bonadurer \u00b7 b. 1896 Chicago, Illinois<\/h3>\n

Salesman in Los Angeles, California. Died 1982. Married 1914 to Gertrude Ernest Villeneuve (died 1929). Son: Oliver Cromwell (b. 1916 Waycross, Georgia, died 1964), mechanical engineer in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n\n

4th generation \u2014 Martin Bonadurer \u00b7 from Switzerland<\/h3>\n

Born in Switzerland. Died 1931. Married Paulina Priess. Son: Katura (b. 1894 Chicago). \u2014 The family lost track of Katura in 1931. <\/p>\n\n

5th generation \u2014 George \/ George Martin Bonadurer \u00b7 from Switzerland<\/h3>\n

Married Margreth Genua, also from Switzerland. Names were handwritten on a death certificate and difficult to read. \u2014 \u201cThis would be our link to Europe but I have no idea where in Switzerland they came from.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n

\n\n\"Ellen\n

Ellen Bonadurer\nSt. George, Utah<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

Werner Bonadurer \u00b7 Zizers GR (via Phoenix, AZ)Zizers GR \u00b7 Switzerland today \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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Werner Bonadurer \u00b7 born 1954 \u00b7 now in Switzerland<\/em><\/p>\n

Wife: Irene (b. 1967, n\u00e9e Steger). Sons: Gian-Reto (b. 1994) and Andri (b. 1998). The family lived abroad for many years (Asia, UK, USA). From 1998 until returning to Switzerland, they lived in the Phoenix\/Arizona area. <\/p>\n\n

Parents \u2014 Zizers GR<\/h3>\n

Father: Werner Bonadurer (b. 1932). Mother: Maria (b. 1934, n\u00e9e Marti). Sisters: Renata (b. 1955) and Doris (b. 1958). <\/p>\n\n

Grandfather \u2014 Anton Nicolaus Bonadurer \u00b7 1903\u20131972<\/h3>\n

Grandmother: Dora Bonadurer (b. 1906, n\u00e9e Goetz, d. 1980).<\/p>\n\n

Great-grandfather \u2014 Anton Bonadurer \u00b7 b. 1864<\/h3>\n

Died around the turn of the century. Married to Christina Bernhard (b. 1871). <\/p>\n\n

Great-great-grandfather \u2014 Nicolaus Bonadurer \u00b7 b. c. 1830 <\/h3>\n

According to tradition, he is said to have been married to Dorathea Baertsch.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2014 Home \u00b7 Bonadurer worldwide \u00b7 USABonadurer worldwide \u00b7 America Bonadurer USA. From Versam and Zillis to Chicago, La Crosse, Utah and California \u2014 the American Bonadurers and their letters to Roland. Emigration to what is now the United States was very irregular. Peak years of emigration were 1844, 1846, the 1850s and the early […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1879","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1879","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1879"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1879\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1880,"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1879\/revisions\/1880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}