This week we will explore my husbands maternal grandfather, Henry Phillip Bender.

Henry was born 27 November 1883 in Kratzke, Saratov, Russia, a Volga German colony. His parents were George Phillip and Eva Elizabeth Bender. He was three years old when his family immigrated from Russia in 1886. He had two older half sisters Mary and Katherine Elizabeth.

 

When you review the list of Passengers there were 260 on board and the Bender family were the first of those from Russia to be listed, with a total of 93 individuals listed from Russia. The Community of Kratzke in the 1886 census notes that 84 families had immigrated to America. I am curious to know how long it took them to make it to New York, and I wonder how much longer it took them to make it to Kansas? Dang I wish there was a 1890 census I could consult to see where they were, and if they immediately set up their farms in rural Kansas.

The Family is listed in the 1895 Kansas Census in Russell County, Kansas in the Wintersett township. Henry is listed as only 9 years of age.

In the 1900 US Census Russell county Kansas in the Wintersett township, we find on line 57 Henry (16) attending school. This census indicates that his father Phillip (47) a farmer can read and write English but his mother can not. Henry is one of five boys at home along with a sister Mollie.

24 October 1903 Henry marries Anna L. Schneider in Russell County, Kansas. Anna was the daughter (sixth child) of Fredrick and Maria Katharine Schneider.

In 1904 Henry and Anna have their first child Amelia. Clara is born in 1905 and Henry Paul is born in 1907.

The 1910 Us Census  shows Henry H.P. Bender (26) Rus.-German a farmer owner. Anna L. (25)  also shown as Rus-German. While it indicates that Henry can read and write English is wife Anna does not, but it indicates they both speak English. The three children are listed (Clara is shown as Mary)

 

 

For the 1920 US census Russell county, Kansas we find Henry (36)  owns his farm (mortgaged), birth place Saradof Rus. as are both of his parents. Henry’s wife Anna (34) is also listed from Saradorf, Rus., as well as both of her parents. I believe Saradof should be Saratov.

 

 

We now have 7 children. Amelia (15), Clara (14), Paul (12), Rudolph (9), Edward (7), Herbert (4 3/12), and Lavina (2 1/12). All but the two youngest are in school. In the Kansas 1925 Census we have the last two children Francis born in 1921 and Esther born in 1924.

 

Here in the 1930 census we find Henry (46) renting their home and they do not have a radio at the time of the census. Henry is listed as being able to read and write and having come from Russia in 1886 and a naturalized citizen. Anna (44) his wife, not able to read or write, having come from Russia  in 1900 and is a naturalized citizen also. We find the children still at home in 1930 are: Amelia (25), Paul (22), Rudolph (19), Edward (17), Herbert (14), Lavina (12), Francis (9), and Esther (6). At this time Vernon P. (5), Henry’s nephew, has come to live with them. Vernon’s father was Phillip Bender, One of Henry’s younger brothers. Phillips wife was an Elizabeth Schneider a niece to Anna, she died in 1925. Phillip himself was shot to death in 1932. That’s a story for another time.

In the 1940 US Census Henry P. Bender (56) completed the 6th grade, his wife Anna also completed the 6th grade. The only children left at home are Paul (33), Esther (16) still in school and Henry’s nephew Vernon (14) still in school.

21 August 1960 Henry P. Bender died. He is buried in Russell  City Cemetery, Russell, Kansas.

Besides being a farmer Henry was also a stone masonry. Several of his stone structures are still standing.