The Bonaparte Pottery was started in 1866 by Parker and Hanback, and that firm conducted the business for 5 years, when Robert Wilson succeeded Mr. Parker. Hanback and Wilson employed from six to ten hands and two teams. These works generally turned out about 125,000 gallons of pottery per year. They also made flower pots, drain pipe and fire proof bricks.

Thomas Hanback was born Aug. 13, 1838 in Scott Co., IL. In the spring of 1867, he came to nearby Vernon, where he worked at that local pottery and learned the trade. In 1866, he came to Bonaparte and established his own firm.