Bonham, Dora Dieterich, 1902-1973

Dora Dieterich Bonham (1902-1973) was a San Angelo businesswoman, civic leader, writer, and historian. She was born to Roy and Annie (Fulkes) Dieterich in Watters, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at Austin. In 1937, Dora married Eugene Bonham (died March 1942), becoming associated with the Rauscher, Pierce Company (1937-1942).

Bonham worked with the Texas Trust Company and as a student assistant in the University of Texas Department of Business Education. She also served as secretary, statistician, and writer with the Texas State Department of Public Health, Division of Child Health and Public Health Nursing. Bonham worked in many civic, social, religious, and educational services, including San Angelo Council of United Church Women, United Council of Church Women of Texas, San Angelo Branch of the American Association of University Women, San Angelo Nursery Schools, Fort Concho Museum Board, San Angelo College, Austin Public Library Bonham Project, National Resources Conference at The University of Texas, and The University of Texas Archives.

As an active member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Bonham served as secretary, treasurer, and president of the Fort Concho Chapter, as well as district representative, fifth vice president, chairman of flags, and member of the Legislative and Education Committees. She promoted the study of Texas history in public schools and wrote several biographies on, among others, Emma Kyle Burleson, Francis Dieterich (subject of her 1958 book Merchant to the Republic ), Sam Houston, Elizabeth Houston Fulkes family, and multiple churches.

References:

Dora Dieterich Bonham Papers, [ca. 1866]-1973, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Kielman, Chester V. Bonham, Dora Dieterich (1902-1973). Handbook of Texas Online, accessed November 14, 1008. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/BB/fbo70.html