Family:Jacob Bender and Melissa Van Orsdal (3)

Jacob Bender was born October 11, 1829 and died January 5, 1920, aged 90 years, two months and 24 days. He was married to Melissa Van Orsdal, March 22, 1853. Mrs. Bender died February 21, 1903, they having been married 50 years lacking one month.

The moved from their residence in Lorain County to Hancock County, Ohio in 1864, where they resided four years.

They then moved to Algansee, Michigan where they resided until 1877, from thence they moved to their farm in northeast Quincy, where they have made their home 38 years, moving to Qunicy Village five years ago. Seven children were born to them, five of whom are now living. Frank Bender of Litchfield, Cassie Soper of Quincy, Mary Sisson of Rock Springs, Montana, Electa Strang and Ruby Ryan of Quincy, Michigan, besides fifteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Mr . Bender was a man of great vitality, having had very little sickness during his long life, and retained his mental faculties perfectly up to a few hours preceding his death.

The funeral services were held at the home on Jackson Street Wednesday afternoon., January 7, Rev. C. D. Page officiating with burial at Lakeview cemetery.

Death of Mrs. Jacob Bender.

Melissa Van Orsdal was born in Gorham, Ontario county, New York, December 8, 1831. When nearly three years of age, she with her parents, moved to Carlisle, Lorain County, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood.

March 22nd 1853 she was married to Jacob Bender. In 1877 they moved to their present home after a residence of four years in Hancock County, Ohio, and eight years in Algansee, Michigan. She was one of a family of six children, two of whom survive her, Mrs. P.D. Webster and Ira A. Van Orsdal, both of Quincy. She was the mother of seven children. Della, the eldest child, was burned to death at the age of twenty-one; Hiram E. died in infancy. Her husband, four daughters, Cassie, Mrs. Mary E. Sisson, Mrs. Electa B. Strang, Mrs. Ruby D. Rayn and one son, Frank E., are left to mourn their loss.

She showed by every act of her unselfish life, that for her it was more blessed to give than to receive; Faith fully fulfilling every requirement of domestic life as wife and mother, “she hath done what she could.’ Loved and respected by a large circle of friends, idolized by her family, she will be missed more than words can tell.

Although she made no religious profession, yet she was not without hope. We believe mother is waiting for us in a better, brighter world.

Nearly three years ago her health began to fail. All that loving friends and relatives could do was unavailing. Patiently she bore her suffering, until death relieved her, Saturday, February 21, 1903, aged 71 years, 2 months and 13 days, within one month of the fiftieth anniversary of her marriage.

The funeral was held at the home in Northeast Quincy at 10 o’clock, Tuesday, February 24th, conducted by Rev. H. A. McConnell, and was largely attended by relatives and friends. There was a profusion of beautiful flowers, which she loved so well, the casket being literally covered with the choicest kinds, roses and carnations predominating. Burial was made in Lakeview.

1900 census for Quincy Township, Branch County, Michigan
18 Jun 1900

Jacob Bender, head, white male, born Oct 1829, age 70, married 47 years, born Germany, parents born Germany, farmer, 0 months not employed, can read, write, speak, English. Owned farm free of mortgage.

Melissa, wife, white female, born Dec 1831, age 68, married 47 years, 7 children, 5 now living, born New York, parents born New York,.

Phebe, daughter, white female, born July 1863, age 36, single, no children, born Ohio, father, Germany, mother New York.

Death Certificate for
Melissa Bender, white female, Married. Age at marriage 21 years. Parents of 7 children, 5 now living. Born 8 Dec 1831, age at death 71 years, 2 months 13 days. Occupation; Housekeeping. Born New York, Father: John Van Orsdal, born NY., Mother: Elizabeth Phillips, born NY. Informant: Mrs. L. H. Ryan (Ruby Bender Ryan, her daughter.)

Date of death: 21 Feb 1903
Cause of death: Dropsy and disease of the heart. Duration: 3 years. Contributory: Bronchitis. Duration 30 days.
Place of burial: Quincy, Michigan. Date of Burial 24 Feb 1903.

Bender, Jacob and Melissa Vanllisuel, page 190, Vol 2. Page 13 of Index.