Albert D. Bender
Albert D. and Lydia (Smith) Bender
Albert D. Bender needs no introduction to the readers of this
volume, having been practically a lifelong resident of Allamakee
county and closely associated with its agricultural and
commercial interests for many years. He relates many an
interesting tale concerning the early days and the changes which
have occurred as time has passed on. He was born in Clayton
county, Iowa, near Monona December 14,1858, a son of Charles
Wesley and Anna (Calkins) Bender.
The father was born April 18, 1832, and in early life became a
carpenter, following the trade for a number of years. In fact, he
was connected with that pursuit much of his life, although at
different times he engaged in farming. The family was established
in this section of Iowa by the father, David Bender, who secured
a tract of government land. Not a furrow had been turned nor an
improvement made upon the place. In June the prairie was starred
with a million wild flowers and in December was one dazzling and
unbroken sheet of snow.
Charles W. Bender related a many an interesting tale concerning
the early days and the experiences of the pioneers. The family
had come from Wisconsin to Iowa and after nearly a week spent at
the new home the boy, who was acting as the party cook, began to
feel very homesick. One Saturday his father called him:
“Charlie, bake up something today and we will start home
tomorrow.” The thought flashed across his mind,
“I’ll make some fried-cakes just like mother used
to.” He knew she put eggs in them, but where to get eggs was
the problem as there were no hens within several miles. Just
above the Pagin spring was a slough and wading in he found
blackbirds eggs on the grass. He used the eggs but years
afterward described the friedcakes as “just about as blue as
the line on the paper which my pen follows and as heavy as
lead... By main strength I fired them on the prairie.”
Mr. Bender in later years also described the first Fourth of July
celebration held on Washington prairie, say that as the national
birthday of 1852 approached patriotic feelings thrilled in the
breasts of the pioneers and a few made arrangement to celebrate
the day. Mr. Bender, with a yoke of oxen, went to a grove of pine
trees, cut two, peeled them and made a flag pole between sixty
and seventy feet high. At Moneek red and white cloth was
purchased and a yard of blue cloth and the mothers of the
neighborhood cut out white stars and made a fine flag, the first
that ever floated over Washington prairie. This was hauled to a
high ridge and everything made ready to raise the pole and unfurl
the flag on the Fourth. The program was carried out as planned
and someone proposed: “Now let us name our beautiful prairie
Washington prairie.”
After some years spent in Allamakee county, C. W. Bender again
became a resident of Clayton county. He also lived in Nebraska
for a short time--and after about a year spent in Clayton county
he again came to Allamakee county, settling in Franklin township.
He soon afterward became a landowner and remained upon his farm
for a number of years. Subsequently he removed to Dickinson
county, Iowa, near Milford, where he continued for about five
years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Allamakee
county, making his home in Franklin township until his death,
which occurred March 16, 1913. He was one of the best known
pioneer settlers of this part of the state, honored and respected
by all with whom he came in contact. He had long survived his
first wife, who was born November 21, 1837, and passed away
November 21, 1865. For his second wife he chose Miss Mary Jane
Young, who lived near Monona, Clayton county, and who died May 9,
1903. In early life the father engaged in merchandising for a
short period at Frankville, but during the greater part of his
life had been connected with the building business and had also
been numbered among the enterprising farmers of his district. By
his first marriage there were four children: Arthur, who died in
1908; Albert D.; Honora, the wife of Louis Monty, of McGregor,
Iowa; and Flora, who died September 14, 1903. There were seven
children of the second marriage: Henry Ward, who was born July
28, 1867, and is a farmer, residing in Luana; Welthy May, who was
born April 1, 1869, and died May 16, 1869; Orlen Bert, who was
born in November, 1872, and passed away December 6, 1875; Owen
L., born April 9, 1874, residing at Forest Mills, where he
follows carpentering; William Cressy, who was born May 8, 1876,
and is a master mechanic of Waukon, Iowa; Elmer C., who was born
June 25, 1878, and is a farmer and landowner, living at Forest
Mills; and Percy Lee, who was born September 16, 1881, and makes
his home at Forest Mills.
Albert D. Bender began earning his own living in the spring
following the ninth anniversary of his birth. He was employed at
trapping for two years. Pocket gophers were plentiful in those
days and he received a bounty of ten cents a head from the
farmers in the vicinity in addition to his board. In the winter
time he worked for his board and the privilege of attending
school. Subsequently he was employed as a farm hand and later
engaged in clerking in a general store. When sixteen years of age
he began contracting in a general way, employing men even at the
early age. He posses natural mechanical ingenuity and in carrying
on that business was following in the business footsteps of his
father. He was thus engaged up to the time of his marriage, which
occurred when he was in his twenty-fourth year. He rented a farm
for one year and then purchased a small farm near Forest Mills,
making his home thereon for two years. At the end of that time he
sold out and removed to Dickinson county where he cultivated a
rented tract for two years. He afterward spent a similar period
in the herding business and later leased a ranch of ten thousand
acres, on which he had fourteen hundred and fifty heard of cattle
under his care, employing three men to assist him. Because of
failing health he was obliged to sell his lease and then returned
to Franklin township, purchasing a small farm which he operated.
He also engaged in contract work and in 1898 he established a
general store, of which his daughters took charge. He continued
his operations there until the fall of 1910, when he disposed of
his property and business interests at Forest Mills and purchased
his present farm of one hundred and twenty-three and forty-two
hundredths acres. He carries on general farming, but gives the
greater part of his attention to the live-stock business. He also
still continues in the contracting business, with which he has
been identified from the age of sixteen years. He now handles
contracts in road building and devotes the greater part of his
attention to contract work, his son looking after the farming
interests. His has been a very active, busy and useful life. He
has accomplished what he has undertaken and his life work shows
what may be done when energy and determination lead the way.
On the 12th of January, 1882, Mr. Bender was united in marriage
to Miss Lydia Smith, who was born in Franklin township, December
18, 1863, and is a daughter of Robert and Clara (Clark) Smith,
who were also natives of Allamakee county and of Scotch-Irish
descent. The father, who was a farmer and landowner, is now
living in Emmet county, Iowa, but the mother has passed away.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bender were born four children: Edith K M., the
wife of Frank Russell, who is engage in merchandising in Forest
Mills; Clara A., the wife of Ernest Decker, a farmer of Franklin
township; Arthur F., who married Dottie Gibson and is residing on
his father’s farm in Franklin township; and one who died in
infancy. Mr. Bender holds membership with the Modern Woodmen. He
is a very prominent and influential citizen, having spent his
entire life in this section of the state. The years have brought
him success as a reward of his industry, determination and
unabating energy. He well deserves mention among the leading
citizens and worthy pioneer settlers, and few men are able to
speak with more authority or accuracy concerning the early events
which shaped the history of this part of the state.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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