John Bender
John Bender was born in Prussia, December 13, 1848. He is the son of F. W. and Catherine (Diehl) Bender, who came to this country in 1853, bringing their son with them. He was a carpenter by trade, arriving in Hamilton in 1854, and worked at this till about 1865, when he organized the firm of F. W. Bender & Sons, purchasing the property where his sons are, and also the planing mill of Miller & Campbell. For a short time the firm was Bender & Brown. He reared a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, all residents of Hamilton. He was a successful man, and by the aid of his sons laid the foundation of a large and successful business. He was a member of the Evangelical Protestant Church. His death occurred on the 20th of October, 1867. The business was continued under the firm name of J. F. Bender & Brothers, the members being J.F., E., F. W., H., and John. The latter was educated in the common schools in Hamilton. In 1864 he attended one term at the commercial college in Cincinnti. He was in the employment of John Stilwaugh for some two years, and then entered the business of his father and brother in 1865. He takes charge of the office and financial matters, the rest of the firm being all practical mechanics. He also does the estimating and contracting. Mr. Bender was married in 1873 to Miss Lena Morton, and is the father of three children - J. F., Matilda P., and Elsie. They are attendants of the Zion Lutheran Church.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.