In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1912) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902), History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912)
WILLIAM BENDER.
There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which is universally accorded to William Bender, but through many years' connection with Crawford county's history his has been an unblemished character. With him success in life has been reached by his sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every many principle. He has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right and honorable between his fellow men and himself, has never served from the path of duty, and now, after a long and useful career, he can look back over the past with pride and enjoy the remaining years of his earthly pilgrimage with a consciousness of having gained lor himself by his honorable, straightforward career the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he lives.
A native son of the Buckeye state, he was born in Richland county, Ohio, on the 26th of March, 1850, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Hoffman) Bender. In his youth he enjoyed only the educational privileges afforded by the pioneer log school houses of his day. but in later life he greatly added to his knowledge by reading, study and practical experience, thus becoming a well-informed man. After his marriage he located on eighty acres of his present home farm, then the property of his father-in-law, which he rented for eleven years, and during that time he also dealt quite extensively in stock, thus greatly augmenting his income. In 1882 he purchased one hundred and four acres adjoining his present farm on the east, and in 1885 he purchased of his father-in-law his present homestead, thus making the home farm to consist of one hundred and eighty-four acres. He also owns three other tracts of land, aggregating one hundred and fifty acres, all of which is located in Auburn township with the exception of fifteen acres in Vernon township. Mr. Bender has been very successful in his farming and stock-raising interests, and he is to-day accounted one of the substantial and leading citizens of his locality. During his many years of labor he secured a competence sufficient to enable him tok lay aside the active cares of a business life and to rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. In 1889 he erected a handsome and commodious farm residence, and in the following year he rebuilt his barn, his place being now supplied with all the accessories and conveniences known to the model farm.
On the 3d of September, 1873, Mr. Bender was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Sawyer, a daughter of Albanus Sawyer. Three children have graced the marriage of our subject and wife, namely: Rilla May, the wife of. John W. Hutt, of Richland county; Minnie Luella, who is now sixteen years of age; and Ruth lone, a little lady of eight years. Mr. Bender gives his political support to the Democracy, and although he has never been an aspirant for political honors he has served for many years as supervisor of his district, dischargingthe duties of that position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is not connected by membership with any religious denomination, but he has been a liberal contributor of both time and means to the Lutheran church, having assisted materially in the erection of the house of worship in Tiro. He generously co-operates with all movements or measures intended for the betterment of humanity. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed, and in every relation of life he is true to duty and to the right, — a loyal and patriotic citizen.
As printed in A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
WILLIAM BENDER, who is a retired farmer and one of the highly respected citizens of Tiro, O., occupies his comfortable home on North Main Street but still retains his farm of 180 acres, situated in Auburn township, Grawford county. He was born in Richland county, O., March 26, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Hoffman) Bender.
Jacob Bender was born near Heidelberg, Germany, Oct. 5, 1816, where he was reared to manhood and in 1840 married Catherine
Hoffman, who was born also in Germany, Aug. 13, 1816. In the year of their marriage they emigrated to America, and on reaching the United States settled in Richland county, O. He purchased 40 acres of land near Shelby, to which he later added 20 more acres, and after clearing and developing both tracts, purchased a farm of 160 acres, four miles south of Shelby. In 1862 they came to Crawford county and purchased 200 acres of land irom George Cummings. He was a large landowner also in other states, having 300 acres in. Iowa and 300 acres in Michigan. His death occurred Sept. 26, 1897, when he was aged 80 years. His wife died Jan. 15, 1885. They were members of the Lutheran church, in America, but he had been reared a Catholic and she in the Reformed church. They were good, Christian people in each organization.
10 them the following children were born: Jacob, Henry, Charles, Christina, Anthony, William, Catherine, who died Aug. 31, 1886; Lizzie, John Phillip, and one that died in infancy.
William Bender was his father’s helper on the home farm until he reached the age of 21 years. After marriage he located on 80 acres of his present farm, then the property of his father-in-law, and while renting the same for
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Chi Sept. 3, 1873, Mr. Bender was married to Miss Cornelia Sawyer, a daughter of Albanus Sawyer. Albanus Sawyer was a native of this county while his wife was born in Pennsylvania. They had the following children besides Mrs. Bender: Asa, Rule, Royal I' John E., Erastus, deceased, Clara, deceased. Anna and Lottie. Mr. and Mrs. Bender have three children: Rill a May, wife of John W. Hutt, of Richland county, O.; and Minnie Luella, wife of Walter Ervin; and Ruth lone. While Mr. Bender has never been very active in politics, he has always exerted
. IX.1 1 r i T/n i isjqix cm A i -..SThIIvIuM l *t '".yn mod >.ivh ( A J
Hi J. -: r;j c r lin !.oii’w r
GG4 his influence in support of movements that have made this section law abidingand a desirable place in which to live. Mr. Bender is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Tiro. He served as supervisor for 25 years. The family attends the Lutheran church and Mr. Bender has been a liberal contributor to the building of the church and to its support.
As printed in History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Jacob Bender
Their biographies name William Bender: William Morrow
The printed record stops around 1902. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.