George Lewis Bender

1867 - 1921  (54 years)

• Name	George Lewis Bender
  Born	1867	, Maryland
  Gender	Male
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-214737
  Died	17 Jan 1921	Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, United States
  Buried	Prairie Street Mennonite Church Cemetery, Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, USA
  Person ID	I214737	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Family	Elsie Kolb,   b. 17 Sep 1875, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 5 May 1949, South Bend, St. Joseph, Indiana, USA  (Age 73 years)
  Married	21 Oct 1896
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F58770	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  George Lewis Bender (1867-1921) was born in Maryland in the middle of a large Amish family. He didn't want to farm, so went to normal school to become a teacher, first in Maryland, then in Iowa. In 1890 he was invited to come to Elkhart, Indiana to work for John F. Funk's Mennonite Publishing Company. Because of his ability to speak German, George did a lot of traveling for Funk's company to Canada and the western United States. When visiting Berlin, George sometimes stayed with Eli and Melinda Hallman, and it was here that he met Elsie Kolb. Much of their courtship was by correspondence, but George made several visits a year, and in October 1896 they were married in Elkhart, Indiana. None of Elsie's family could attend the wedding because of limited finances, and because George was teaching school, he could not come to Ontario. Elsie Kolb: a Shy Ontario-Born Mennonite Matriarch. (2016). Retrieved 28 July 2020, from https://ontariomennonitehistory.org/2016/02/29/elsie-kolb-a-shy-ontario-born-mennonite-matriarch/ ________________ Bender . - George Lewis Bender was born near Grantsville, Md., Feb. 2, 1867; died at Elkhart, Ind., Jan. 17, 1921; aged 53 y. 11 m. 16 d. He was converted in early manhood, united with the Mennonite Church and remained a faithful member until death. He was married to Elsie Kolb of Breslau, Ont., Oct. 21, 1896. To this union were born 6 sons and 2 daughters. He is survived by a deeply bereaved widow, 5 sons (Harold, Wilbur, Cecil, John, Robert), 2 daughters (Florence and Violet), 7 brothers (Daniel H., Jacob, Frederick, Charles, Samuel, John, and Edward), and many sympathizing friends. Bro. Bender has been prominently connected with the work of the Mennonite Church for over thirty years. At the age of 18 he began his public career as a school teacher - teaching one year in Garret Co., Md., one year in Johnson Co., Iowa, and later taught a number of years in Elkhart Co., Ind. From Iowa he came to Elkhart, Ind., where for a number of years he rendered faithful service in the Mennonite Publishing House. In 1890 he was chosen treasurer of the Mennonite Evangelizing and Benevolent Board of America, now Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities, and has ever since that time been a most important factor in the work of that organization. As Treasurer of the Board he rendered efficient service. But his work counted more than that of mere treasurer. His personality was of the pronounced positive kind, and the efficiency of the Board is due largely to his executive ability as a counsellor and active agent in promoting the interests of the cause to which he devoted his life. During the last few years he served not only as treasurer of the Board but also as financial agent and as treasurer of the Mennonite Relief Commission for War Sufferers. It was largely thru his instrumentality that the present Administration Building, official home of the General Mission Board, was erected. Besides his connection with the Mission Board, he served as a deacon in the church since his ordination to that office in 1907. For several years he has suffered from ill health. Parkinson's disease settled upon his vitals, and his days were numbered. All that human hands could do to relieve him would not avail. He spent several months in hospitals where it was hoped that at least some relief might be given - and while there was relief to an appreciable extent, the disease was not stayed. About a week before he died he was stricken with pneumonia, which hastened his end. His passing away is sincerely mourned by the whole Church which feels that a very useful servant has been promoted to a higher world. The funeral services at the Elkhart Mennonite Church were largely attended. There were those present from Canada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, Illinois, as well as a large concourse of people from the surrounding community. Funeral services were conducted at the home by J. K. Bixler and at the Church by Bro. D. D. Miller, president of the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities, assisted by W. B. Weaver, while Brethren C. Z. Yoder and J. F. Funk conducted services with an overflow meeting in the basement. Text, II Tim. 4:6-8. Buried in Prairie Street Cemetery. Gospel Herald - Volume XIII, Number 45 - February 3, 1921 - page 887, 888

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 1867 - , Maryland Died - 17 Jan 1921 - Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, United States Buried - - Prairie Street Mennonite Church Cemetery, Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, USA  = Link to Google Earth