Bender family collection

This collection of letters was authored by members, either by birth or marriage, of the Peter (November 19, 1796-August 17, 1881) and Elizabeth (June 22, 1803-August 14, 1888) Bender family. Peter and Elizabeth were born and raised in Frohnhofen, Germany where they married and had two children, Peter (June 23, 1826-August 24, 1881) and Jacob (October 11, 1829-January 5, 1920). The family moved to the United States in 1832, arriving in Boston and resettling on a farm near Elyria, Ohio. While in the United States, five more children were born: Catherine (January 24, 1834-May 24, 1914); John (December 10, 1836-January 10, 1888); Betsey (March 10, 1839-January 2, 1898); Caroline (November 1, 1841-January --, 1888); and Henry (July 9, 1842- ?). The letters tell little of Peter and Elizabeth Bender. Since they were written after Peter had become too old to farm, the information they do contain is focused on conflicts Peter had with his family over who would execute his estate and who would be his beneficiaries. The nature of these conflicts is not entirely clear, though they seem to involve the actions of Rev. Philip Fowl (March 1, 1835-June 25, 1894), who was married to Catherine Bender and later was hospitalized for mental illness. An argument between Peter Bender II and Philip is described but its contents is not recounted.

Most of the letters were written by Eveline Goff Bender, the wife of Peter Bender II who lived on a farm with her husband near Hassan, Ohio in Hancock County. Genealogy sheets included with the collection indicate that they were married March 31, 1852 and had one adopted daughter, Flora, who married Will Matthewson. The letters represent Eveline's attempt to maintain contact with her husband's family, who, except for Jacob and his family who lived near Quincy, Michigan, all lived near Elyria. In addition to commenting on news she has received, particularly about Peter I and Elizabeth Bender's health and the conflict over Peter's estate, she shares information about her community, the work she and her husband perform, the operation of their farm and her health. After the death of her husband she increasingly deals with her emotional state, focusing on her loneliness and sadness.

Caroline (Bender) Wack and her daughters are responsible for another part of the correspondence. Caroline was married to Alfred Wack on August 20, 1863 and her letters deal primarily with the activities of Henry Bender, Philip and Catherine (Bender) Fowl and Peter I and Elizabeth Bender, all of whom lived near the Wacks. Her daughters Ellen, Cassie, Matie, Betsey, and Mabel often explqain the fact that they are writing instead of their mother because of other demands on her time. Their letters include more personal information about their school, attendance at dances and involvement in such activities as quilting, cidermaking, and sleigh-riding.

A third group of letters were written by Betsey (Bender) Powell and her children. Betsey, who was married to William Sherman Powell (July 28, 1833-January 2, 1898) on November 25, 1856, had six children, three of whom, Elnora, Orpha, and Arthur, wrote letters included in the collection. The letters are similar in content to those of the Wacks except that they include a description of the death of a daughter of Catherine (Bender) Fowl from diphtheria and make reference to the earthquake of January 7, 1883, and some of the letters are written just within the Powell family.

Other letters in the collection were written by Henry Bender (July 9, 1842-?), his daughter Lottie, the above mentioned Rev. Philip Fowl (March 1, 1835-June 25, 1894) and grandchildren of Peter and Elizabeth Bender (Ruby Bender Ryan, daughter of Jacob Bender and Melissa Van Orsdal) who lived in Quncy, Michigan. There is no information about correspondents Phebe ___, Priscilla ____, and P. D. Webster.