John A. Bonar - 1918
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Campbell County High School, Gillette, WY
I. Personal Bio
John "Ace" Bonar was born on March 30, 1918, in Sacramento, California. He grew up as a young boy with a passion and talent to write. "I feel people have talent in their genes. They get it from family members," said Bonar. Bonar inherited his talent from his grandfather who was a poet. He took quickly to writing, and by the age of ten he was writing letters to the newspaper editor. Bonar moved from Sacramento, to Glenrock, Wyoming, with his wife 52 years ago. This was a move that had to be both captivating and surprising for him. Wyoming is such a strong contrast to California. "One of the reasons we moved out here is because the city was getting too big. Here in Wyoming there is plenty of open space and clean air." That is definitely true. Many people have been drawn to Wyoming by the prospects of open land and small towns. Wyoming has a culture all its own. Here there is a way of life that for many people may seem simple and routine, but they are wrong. Wyoming has a culture that is as interesting and exciting as the history here. Bonar's motivation for writing was to tell some of that history that is being lost. "Many people aren't aware that the strongest man came from Glenrock. Most people who live here didn't even know that." Bonar used his interest in history as inspiration for writing. Another aspect of writing that interests Bonar is the learning experience. "You learn as you go. You look up information and talk to people," he says. The research stage is the first stage in writing a novel. Bonar has used information he has gathered to help educate people through his writing. As a notable lecturer, as well as a writer (Bonar Personal Interview).
II. Professional Bio
During his school years, Bonar earned the Oakland Press Honor Association membership. He also had work published in the Oakland Post Inquirer and Sacramento Bee (Bonar Pride, Power, Progress) . His urge to write was fueled by teachers and family members who gave him encouragement. One of his most notable influences was his creative writing teacher, Peggy Simson Curry. "She really helped and encouraged me a lot," Bonar said of her (Bonar Personal Interview).
Bonar used his desire to tell history as his motivation to write. This as the topic for his book Pride, Power, Progress, which is a collection of fact based short stories. In the book Bonar tells the story of Noah 'Sport' Young, Jr., a youthful man who possessed unprecedented strength. In Pride, Power, Progress, Bonar also tells other stories of Wyoming history such as "How the Jackalope" was born and "Buffalo Bill Cody" (Bonar 18-21, 33-34, 54-57).
III. Written Works
Bonar has written many other books as well. These include Flying by the Seat of Their Pants, a history of aviation with many valuable pictures (Bonar). Also due out soon is World War II , based on his experiences during his days in combat (Bonar). He is also the author of the series Wyoming, Someplace Special, which was awarded Best Program in 1981 by Wyoming Association of Broadcasters and recipient of the Past President's Award from the Wyoming Writers (1979) and an award from the Wyoming State Historical Society (1980) in recognition of his efforts in preserving Wyoming's history (Bonar).
From the time he began writing for newspapers as a boy to the many fact based novels and stories he has published to date, he has always looked for the facts and sought out the true story to put in his writing. He has truly been a strong voice in the preservation of Wyoming history.
IV. Works Cited
Bonar, John "Ace". Personal interview. 11 Nov. 2000.
Bonar, John "Ace". Pride, Power, Progress: Wyoming's First 100 Years. John "Ace" Bonar, 1987.
This essay was submitted by a student of Nathel Coca, a teacher at Campbell County High School in Gillette, Wyoming.