Hardesty's West Virginia Counties

Volume 3

Pg. 117

HENRY BENDER— is the first-born of the children of John and Ann C. (Dabus) Bender, and his birth occurred August 25, 1840, while his parents were living in Baltimore, Maryland. They came to this county in the following year, and their other five children were born in this county.

Elizabeth Engle was born on Steer creek, Braxton county, June 13, 1847, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann (Weltz) Engle, who came to Braxton county with the other German settlers in 1841. June 21, 1865, at the residence of the bride's parents on Steer creek, Henry Bender and Elizabeth Engle were united in wedlock, and to them nine children have been born, eight of whom still gladden their home, and death has taken one away. These children are: Rosa Ann, born May 27, 1866; Leona Hester, November 16, 1867; Mary Bernice, October 13, 1869; Lora Ellen, April 15, 1871, died May 16, 1874; Lillian Dale, March 21, 1873; Lucy Lee, July 31, 1875; Christena Caroline, June 7, 1877; Julia Alwilda, July 29, 1879; Victor Goff, September 10, 1882.

Henry Bender enlisted January 7, 1862, in Company F, 10th West Virginia Infantry, and on the 3rd of May, 1862, was commissioned second lieutenant. He was in the engagements of Wardensville, Beverly, Droop Mountain, Cheat River, Leetown, Maryland Heights, Snickers Ferry, Winchester, Berryville, Opequon, Fishers Hill, Cedar Creek (two battles), and then transferred to the army of the James, and engaged in the fight at Petersburg, and present at the surrender of Lee. He was slightly wounded at Droop Mountain and again at Opequon, and received brevet—rank of captain April 20, 1865.

He was the first supervisor of Lincoln township, now Otter district, and was elected magistrate in 1866, serving one year. He was elected to the State legislature in 1868, sheriff of Braxton county in the fall of 1870, and served two years, member of the board of education in 1881, and is still serving. He is a farmer, and settled where he now lives (on Straight fork of Steer creek), September 13, 1865, having 500 acres of land, of which 100 acres are now cleared and under cultivation. He gives his entire attention to farming and lumbering, except when his official duties call him away; has a handsome and comfortable home, and fine lot of stock, and is prospering in all things.

His postoffice address is Chapel P. O., Braxton county, West Virginia.

Contributor: Alex Brady (#50144495)

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History of Braxton County (1919), p. 350:

CAPT. HENRY BENDER.

Capt. Henry Bender was the first-born of the children of John and Ann C. (Dabus) Bender, and his birth occurred Aug. 25, 1840, while his parents were living in Baltimore.

They came to this county in the following year.

Henry Bender was united in marriage to Elizabeth Engle, and to this union nine children have been born, eight of whom are still living. Their names are as follows:

Rosa Ann, Leona Hester, Mary Bernice, Lillian Dale, Lucy Lee, Christena Caroline, Julia Alwilda and Victor Goff. Henry Bender enlisted Jan. 7, 1862, in Company F, 10th West Virginia Infantry, and on the 3rd of May, 1862, was commissioned second lieutenant.

He was in the engagement of Wardensville, Beverly, Droop Mountain, Cheat river, Leetown, Maryland Heights, Snickers Ferry, Winchester, Berryville, Opequon, Fishers Hill, Cedar Creek (two battles), then transferred to the army of the James, and engaged in the fight at Petersburg, and was present at the surrender of Lee.

He was slightly wounded at Droop Mountain and again at Opequon, and received brevet-rank of captain April 20, 1865.

In a civil capacity

he was the first supervisor of Lincoln township, now Otter district, and was elected magistrate in 1866, serving one year.

He was elected to the State Legislature in 1868, sheriff of Braxton county in the fall of 1870, and served two years, member of the board of education in 1881, and is still serving.

He is a retired farmer, living on Straight fork of Steer creek, having five hundred acres of land.

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The Braxton Democrat

March 19, 1931

Captain Henry Bender, one of the best known citizens of Braxton county, died at his home near Chapel last Sunday. Mr. Bender was a son of John & Ann C. Bender and was born in Baltimore, Md., August 25, 1840, coming to this county with his parents when a mere child. He owned a large farm on Steer creek and before retiring on account of age was one of the county's best and most prominent farmers. His wife, who was Elizabeth Engel, died a number of years ago. They were the parents of ten children, eight daughters and two sons, some of whom are dead. One son, V. G. Bender, is president of the Braxton County Farm Bureau, and the other, Chris. Bender, is a prominent business man of Gassaway. Mr. Bender served in the Union army during the Civil war as a member of Compant F, 10th W. Va. regiment. He was in a number of important engagements, was twice wounded, and was present at the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. He was elected member of the House of Delegates in 1868 and later served two years as sheriff of the county. He held other minor political positions, such as township supervisor, member of the board of education and secretary of the school board. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since his youth and was a faithful and loyal member and contributed liberally of his means to all of the church's endeavors. He was a truly good and substantial citizen and had in a very large degree the good will and respect of all our people.

Funeral services were held Tuesday and interment was made in the cemetery on the home farm.

Contributor: Alex Brady (50144495)