Jacob Bender 1833-1917

BENDER, LAUCHT, GROTEWALDT, THIESSEN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/8/2019 at 15:10:16

Death Comes to Pioneer Citizen
In the death of Jacob Bender last Thursday afternoon, Benton county has lost another of its worthy German pioneer settlers. Mr. Bender's demise came very unexpected. For many years he had been a sufferer from asthma, but it interfered but little with his many activities.

A few hours previous to his death dropsy developed and this soon brought the end. Few men on the south slope had a wider acquaintance or was held in higher respect than the deceased, and his long life was filled with active work. His death was like the breaking down of a piece of worn machinery, and he passed away conscious almost to the last and without pain or suffering.

Jacob Bender was born in Geissen, Germany, Feb. 28, 1833, and died Nov. 22, 1917, at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 24 days. In 1863 he first came to America, and for three years was employed in the coal fields of Pennsylvania. Returning to the Fatherland in 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Laucht, and the young couple returned to America, and after a residence of few years in Scott county, came to Benton county and settled on a farm four miles northeast of Keystone, where they resided until his death.

To this union seven children were born, four of whom, a son who died in infancy, two sons, Gus and Edward and a daughter, Mrs. Geo. Grotewaldt having preceded the father in death; and one son, Frank Bender, a daughter, Mrs. Geo. H. Thiessen, of Keystone and one daughter, Mrs. Chris. Grotewaldt, of Larchwood, with the bereaved widow remain to mourn his death.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the home, conducted by Rev. C.H. Stauffacher of Cedar Rapids, and interment was made in the home cemetery located on the land of the deceased

Among those who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Chris. Grotewaldt and two children of Larchwood. Besides the near relatives mentioned, deceased leaves seventeen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

~source: Keystone Bulletin, Thursday, November 29 1917