Jennie Hales Bender, 1850-1933

BENDER, HALES, ANNETT, NUTTING, SNORF

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/23/2013 at 09:58:31

Mrs. Bender, Clay Pioneer, Dies Sept. 14

Was One of Earliest Settlers in the County

Mrs. Jennie Bender, 82, one of the very earliest pioneers of Clay county, passed away Thursday night at 9 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. H. Annett, 281 East First street, lacking only a few days of being 83 years old. While her death was not entirely unexpected it came as a shock to many.

Mrs. Bender was the eldest of twelve children of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hales. She was born at Utica, N. Y., September 24, 1850. From New York the family moved westward with the tide of emigration to Wisconsin. After remaining there for a while they moved to Spencer, Ia., in 1871 and homesteaded in Milford township, Dickinson county. On February 4, 1873, the deceased was married to Hiram S. Bender and they immediately began housekeeping on a farm in Lincoln township, Clay county, which Mr. Bender homesteaded in 1870 on a soldier's claim.

This old homestead has never been transferred but has been retained for all these sixty-three years by the original holders of title direct from the government. The original house built at the time of homesteading is still on the farm, now being used as a garage.

On this farm were born two daughters, Jessie L. and Sara. The latter died of diphtheria on April 5, 1880. A few years later the family moved to Spencer and located on East First street which has been the home ever since. Mr. Bender, even while living on the farm, devoted much time as county bridge builder and later constructed many residences which are still standing. Among them is the original Clay County bank building, located just south of the Cobb funeral home and for many years was also the home of the pioneer banker, A. W. Miller and family.

Husband Died in 1886

Mr. Bender died October 24, 1886, and soon after his widow took up dressmaking which she followed for many years and her services were in constant demand as a fashionable dressmaker and tailoress. Upon the marriage of her daughter she took up her home with the family and remained until they removed to Idaho for a few years and during that time her aged mother lived with her. Upon the passing of the mother she built a fine new home on the site of the old house, and as she was afflicted with heart trouble and alone, she invited her daughter and family to return to the home, which she did and has been ever faithful to her in her declining years. During the past two years the daughter has devoted, much of her time to her care and no sacrifice was too great to cause her to neglect her duties to her mother.

W.R.C. Worker

Mrs. Bender was a charter-member of the Woman's Relief Corps, held many of the responsible offices and was very active in the work. When her hearing became defective she dropped some of the public work but was frequently called upon as an advisor. While her name was never on a church roll she was always interested in the religious activities of the family and was a firm believer in the higher ideals of life.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her daughter, Mrs. W. H. Annett, granddaughter, Mrs. Darrell Nutting, and a great grand daughter, Shirley Jean Snorf. Also one brother and two sisters: Hiram Hales of Loyal, Wis., Mrs. Nellie Coleman of Milford, Mrs. Jessie Robertson of Bear, Idaho, and a host of more distant relatives.

Funeral Sunday

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon by Rev. Benj. J. Trickey, pastor of the Congregational church, at the Cobb Funeral home. Mrs. L. R. Gartland sang very beautifully "Asleep in Jesus." The pall bearers were Mayor W. H. Lewis, Ed Marker, J. K. West, Leon Dye, O. R. Kenyon and F. J. O'Brien. The remains were laid to rest in Riverside cemetery.

Source: Spencer News Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; September 22, 1933.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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