R. Mitchell Fonda
Monona Twp.

R. Mitchell Fonda, farmer and dairyman, Monona Township, and one of the enterprising citizens of Clayton County, was born in Montgomery, now Fulton County, N.Y., on the 15th day of August, 1824, a son of William and Henrietta S. (Mitchell) Fonda, who were married in Montgomery County, N.Y., March 4, 1817. By this union there was a family of twelve children, nine living, viz.: Ann E., R. Mitchell, Mary R., William H., Henrietta, Andrew J., Clemantina H., Alexa and James M. In 1832 Mr. Fonda moved to West Troy, and in 1838 to Herkimer County, N.Y., where he followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1847. The mother died in Monona Township in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Fonda were members of the Presbyterian church. R.M. received a common-school education, and afterward was employed by Hinkley & Bullen in the lumber business, receiving at commencement $13 per month, and the last year of his services received $1,000. In 1861 he married Mary A. Smith, a daughter of Rufus Smith, of Herkimer County, N.Y., where she was born Sept. 11, 1837. The issue of this marriage was five children, viz.: Henrietta, born Nov. 30, 1862; G. H. and Helen G. (twins), born Jan. 15, 1865; Robert M., June 9, 1868; William W., Sept. 27, 1871. In 1855 Mr. Fonda left his home in New York with his family and emigrated to Clayton County, locating in Giard Township, one mile east of Monona, where he remained until 1864, when he purchased his present farm of 256 acres. It is now under a high state of cultivation, and is valued at $60 per acre. Mr. Fonda is extensively engaged in the dairy business, and keeps from fifty to sixty cows. He has a beautiful house, and one of the largest and best constructed barns in the county.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1040-1041
transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney