Yolo-Sutter County CA Archives Biographies.....Bentz, M. S. 1851 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 14, 2006, 4:21 pm

Author: Tom Gregory (1913)

M. S. BENTZ

    The business interests and commercial progress of Woodland receive the
constant co-operation of Mr. Bentz, who since coming to this city during 1906
has identified himself with movements for the local upbuilding and has proved
the high value of his capable citizenship. Such success as he has achieved— and
it is by no means insignificant—results from his own determination and unaided
efforts. As a boy he had little opportunity to advance in the world, but,
sturdily resolved to secure an education, he paid his own expenses as he was
attending various institutions in the east. The result was that he acquired a
varied knowledge and also gained what is even more to be desired, viz.: an
abundance of self-reliance and independence. A member of an old Pennsylvania
family, he was born in York county, that state, April 11, 1851, and was next to
the youngest in a family of ten children, five of whom are still living. The
parents, George and Nancy (Grove) Bentz, were born in York county, lived upon
farming land there and remained in the same locality until death.

    When the completion of public-school studies seemed to indicate to M. S.
Bentz that his educational opportunities had ended he started to work to secure
further advantages, so that he made it possible to attend the Shippensburg
Normal and the York high school. From the latter institution he was graduated at
the age of nineteen. Later he taught school in York and Cumberland counties for
eight years, meanwhile attending the Holbrook Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio,
and graduating from its commercial department. During March of 1877 he landed in
Kansas and purchased land in Rice county, where he was bereaved by the death of
his wife, who was Abbie Heikes, a native of Pennsylvania. In the fall following
her death he removed to Stafford, Kan., and embarked in the mercantile business.
For a time he was prospered, but a cyclone in 1881 destroyed his store, ruined
the stock of goods and left him without means to start anew. Thereupon he
embarked in the freighting business in Colorado, where he remained for eighteen
months. Upon his return to Kansas he settled in Canton, McPherson county, and
opened a mercantile store, which he conducted for ten years. Later he engaged in
the same business at Eldorado, Butler county, Kan., for ten years.

    Coming to California during January of 1904 Mr. Bentz bought land in Sutter
county and planted an orchard. Two years later he came to Woodland and purchased
the store of Powell Brothers, whom he succeeded as proprietor of the little
establishment. Here he has since built up a large trade and has carried a full
line of notions and furnishing goods. Thoroughly devoted to Woodland, he
entertains a profound liking for the city of his adoption and champions every
measure for local progress. In national affairs he has been a close student and
the result of his studies is that he supports socialist principles, being a firm
believer in the adoption of national measures that will aid the day laborer and
prevent the enormous wealth of our country from being concentrated in the hands
of a few. Fraternally he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America.
The Woodland Methodist Episcopal Church has the benefit of his active
co-operation with every movement for its spiritual and material upbuilding and
as a member of the official board he is rendering efficient service in its
interests. While making his home at Canton, Kan., he was united in marriage with
Miss Florence L. Cronk, who was born in Oneida county, N. Y. Six children were
born of their union, namely: May, who died in Eldorado, Kan.; Charles W., now
living in Woodland; Earl S., who is employed at Long Beach, this state; Ruth,
Mary E. and Herbert, who still remain with their parents in the Woodland home.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]


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