Bender, Christian, 1846-1906

BENDER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/20/2014 at 21:26:43

A Sad Death

Dr. Huizenga was summoned to Boyden Sunday afternoon by telegram, on account of the death of Christian Bender, the aged father of C. F. Bender, foreman in The Bee office. Coroner Huizenga, accompanied by E. D. Brown, drove to the sad scene. During the afternoon, Mrs. Bender went to church, leaving Mr. Bender at home, he being sorely afflicted with rheumatism and decidedly melancholy over his condition. The wife left for church about two o'clock and the son arrived home from Rock Valley about three, for a visit with his parents. He went straight to the house, but finding no one, as he supposed--for he received no response to his call--he went up town where he visited with old acquaintances. Mrs. Bender returned later and not finding her husband, she went to her neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Kellar for a short call, remarking that because the weather was so fine, Mr. Bender must have gone for a walk. She again returned home for the purpose of doing her chores. On going up stairs for the feed for her cow, she noticed the small door leading into the loft over the kitchen was slightly ajar. She peered in and discovered Mr. Bender in what she thought a sitting posture. She called to him, but on receiving no response, grew nervous and called upon Mr. Kellar and requested that he go and persuade Mr. Bender to come down stairs. Going close enough to lay a hand on his shoulder, Mr. Kellar saw the rope around his neck.

The doctor was summoned, while others congregated. Postmaster Pryde found that the body was warm and cut him down, thinking that it might be possible to revive him. The doctor pronounced the unfortunate man dead and said that he must have been dead nearly three hours, it being then about 5:30 o'clock. Coroner Huizenga was summoned at once and the watchers waited for his instructions. The evidence was so plain that an inquest was unnecessary and the relatives and friends were told to proceed with preparations for the funeral.

The deceased was sixty years of age, a German-Russian, who migrated from southern Russia to this country many years ago. He has been married for thirty-four years and has been a resident of Boyden for about fifteen years, where he had followed the occupation of a gardener, up until something over a year ago when he had to give up work on account of rheumatism. His physician had told him that he could never hope to get better; that he would probably grow worse with his declining years. This preyed on his mind till he became the victim of melancholia. He had warned his wife some two weeks before that she might move the bed out that had been kept for him, saying he would not need it in two weeks more.

The funeral services were conducted from the home at three o'clock Monday afternoon and the interment took place at the Sheridan cemetery. The Bee joins with the many friends of the wife and son in extending sincere sympathy.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, February 2, 1906.

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Other area coverage included:

Alton Democrat, February 3, 1906: Boyden News
Chris Bender committed suicide by hanging himself to the rafters in the atic [attic] over the kitchen at his home last Sunday afternoon about three o'clock while his wife and son were absent. Bender had been insane with pain at different times during the past three years and could not at times eat or sleep for days and in one of the periods of pain it is supposed he committed the deed which ended his suffering. The funeral was held from the home Monday.

Sioux County Herald, February 7, 1906: Boyden and Vicinity:
The suicide of Mr. Bender is generally thought to be due to the accident which he suffered some two years ago which resulted in a broken arm and stiff arm. He has been unable to work much since that time.

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The 1900 U.S. Census has C. Bender (54), born 1846 in Russia, a "landlord," living in Boyden with wife Kisman (53), born July 1849[?] in Russia, and son Christian (22), born Jan. 1878 in Russia, a printer.