OBIT: Charles Augustus BENDER, 1942, of interest in Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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CHARLES AUGUSTUS BENDER

  Charles Augustus Bender, well known resident of the Grantsville community, 
passed quietly away about 1 o'clock Tuesday morning, Feb. 10, at the home of his 
son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. T. O. Broadwater.  He had been in failing 
health for some eleven years.  Recently his condition had been gradually growing 
worse and little hope was held for his recovery.
  Mr. Bender was a son of John and Elizabeth Otto Bender.  His mother was a 
native of Germany.  He was the seventh of eleven children.
  Until ill health forced his retirement, Mr. Bender was numbered among the 
leading citizens of this community.  His first business venture was a store at 
Springs, which he conducted for several years.  On April 18, 1897, he married 
Miss Emma Yutzy.  At that time he moved to Grantsville and opened a general 
merchandise store.  This was destroyed by fire about a year later and he then 
took over the Casselman Hotel here, which business he operated for several 
years.  Disposing of the hotel he again entered the merchantile business, this 
time in partnership with his brother, the late J. J. Bender, the store being 
located on the site now occupied by Yoder and Yoder.  He later withdrew from the 
business to purchase the National Hotel which he successfully operated for a 
number of years.  He also operated hotels at Salisbury and Meyersdale for a 
brief period.
  Mr. Bender was also interested in the coal operations of the community.  He 
purchased considerable coal property near here which he operated as the Meyers 
Coal Company.  He later disposed of a half interest in this concern to Joel A. 
Beachy, of this place, but continued to retain his remaining interest in this 
firm until his death.  For a number of years Mr. Bender also served as one of 
the directors of the former First National Bank here and was a charter member of 
the local Camp No. 41, Woodmen of the World.  Some years ago he became a member 
of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church here.
  Surviving besides his wife, are two daughters, Mrs. J. R. Gnagey and Mrs. T. 
O. Broadwater, and a son, Charles Oliver Bender, all of Grantsville.  Also 
surviving are four brothers, Fred Bender and John Bender, Springs, C. E. Bender, 
Columbiana, O., and Daniel H. Bender, Albany, Oregon, and nine grandchildren.  
Funeral services are to be conducted from the church Thursday afternoon.

Meyersdale Republican, February 12, 1942