Bona Thompson was born, May 17, 187 in Edinburgh, Indiana. Her father, Edward Carvin Thompson, was the grandson of Alexander Thompson who laid out that Johnson county community in 1822. At the time of her birth, the family was engaged in extensive banking, cattle, and commercial interests in Blue River Township. Bona’s mother, Mary Pruitt Thompson, was the daughter of Johnson County pioneers John J. and Jane Pruitt. Bona’s two older siblings, Maurice and Belle, died in early childhood.

In 1890, as was the custom of the day, Edward Thompson relocated his wife and daughter to the Indianapolis suburb of Irvington so Bona could complete her high school training and attend Butler College while residing at home. The grand house and grounds they moved into was the former residence of James Downey located at the southeast corner of Downey and University Avenues just east of the Butler campus (no longer there).

She was graduated from Butler in 1897. During her college years, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Mu Chapter, and, “ . . . was known for her brightness and cheerfulness of her disposition. She made friends easily . . .” She briefly attended Wellesley College after her graduation, but could not complete her studies because of ill health. Bona also served as treasurer of the local chapter of the Daughters Of The American Revolution.

In 1899 shortly after returning from a European trip, Bona died on October 12th of typhoid fever. Devastated by her death, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson gave over $ 40,000 in cash and land to Butler for the construction of a library building in her memory. It was erected on the northwest corner of Downey and University Avenues directly opposite the Thompson home. Tragically, both of the Thompsons died in 1902 while the library was still under construction. At its dedication in December 1903, Edward’s brother John Thompson represented the family. John’s grandson attended the rededication in 2002.

Top: Photograph of portrait of Bona Thompson by T. C. Steele
(on display in the Townsend-Cross Gallery)

Bottom: Photograph of The Thompsons' home
(on display i the Townsend-Cross Gallery)