John W. Bones

Preceded byNathan Porter

Succeeded byMulti-member district

Born(1818-09-01)September 1, 1818

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, U.S.

DiedJuly 30, 1901(1901-07-30) (aged 82)

Oakland, California, U.S.

John W. Bones
Portrait by George Frederick Keller, 1878
Member of the California Senate from the 14th district
In office January 30, 1878 – January 5, 1880
Preceded by	Nathan Porter
Succeeded by	Multi-member district
Personal details
Born	(1818-09-01)September 1, 1818 Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	July 30, 1901(1901-07-30) (aged 82) Oakland, California, U.S.
Party	Republican
Other political affiliations	Workingmen's (1878)
Spouse	Anna Maria West ​ ​ (m. 1846; died 1886)​
Children	Mary William Samuel
Occupation	Carpenter, architect, politician

John Wesley Bones (September 1, 1818 – July 30, 1901)^[1] was an American carpenter, architect, and politician who served in the California State Senate from 1878^[2] to 1880.^[3] He won a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Nathan Porter,^[4] making him the first member of the Workingmen's Party of California ever elected to public office.^[5] He became known for his independent voting record^[4] and was expelled from the party for refusing to follow its line, leading to threats of lynching.^[1]

Bones was a member of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance in 1856.^[6] He spent most of his life in Alameda, including the time he spent serving in the State Senate.^[4] He also lived in Fresno for a time and designed multiple buildings there, including the Ogle House, the Grand Central Hotel, the Masonic Temple, the Fiske Block and the City Hall.^[6]