LEWIS F. BENDER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born near Red River, Canada, June 9, 1823, and is a son of Jacob and Rosanna Bender, natives of the old country, and who came to Canada where they were married and first settled about 1822; in the latter part of 1823, being routed by the Indians, they went down the Missouri River as far as St. Louis, and there Mrs. Bender departed this life. The rest of the family remained in St. Louis about four years, during which time Jacob Bender again married, this time to Rosanna Clink, a native of Wurtemberg. From St. Louis the family moved to Alton, Ill., and there remained some years, then moved to Cincinnati, where they staid a short time, and from there went to Richland County, Ohio, and, in 1833, came to this county, remaining until 1847, then moved to Williams County, where Jacob Bender died; his widow now resides in Missouri. Lewis F. Bender, our subject, was united in marriage in this county, September 15, 1850, with Massey Figgens, whose maiden name was Leonard, a daughter of Ezekiel and Anna (Leonard) Leonard, and who was born in Westchester County, Penn., July 21, 1819; her parents are both deceased. Our subject and wife are the parents of four children: Ada V., wife of Isaiah Staley; Rebecca E.; Charlie F.; and Mabel, all living. Mr. Bender is a tanner and currier by trade, but has been engaged in farming most of his life, and owns a fine farm where he and his family reside. Our subject, like his father, has been somewhat of a rover in his time. In 1861 he went prospecting in California and returned at close of same year. Mrs. Bender and her son, Charles, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bender was christened in the German Lutheran, when an infant, and also in the Catholic faith, at five years of age, it being the grandparents' wish on the mother's side, but being "universally" inclined he has joined no other church.


Trancribed by Bonnie Walsh.
WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1886
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, Part IV, p.756
CLINTON TOWNSHIP