Showing 5039 results

Archival description
Harold Stauffer Bender Papers
Print preview View:

Bender, Elizabeth Horsch

Elizabeth Horsch (1895-1988), a fellow Goshen College student who later became Bender’s wife in 1923, was daughter of Anabaptism scholar John Horsch and Christine Funck Horsch. Her parents being immigrants from Germany, she was totally bilingual. Further, she did advanced study in German language and literature, to become a fine scholar, college teacher, translator, and editor in her own right. She frequently assisted Bender and his colleagues--often quietly, in keeping with her personality, but earning deep respect from those who knew and appreciated her roles.

    Harold and Elizabeth Bender had two daughters, Mary Eleanor and Nancy (eventually Nancy Bender Kostek, Nancy Kostek). Mary Eleanor also studied western European languages and literature and was a college teacher.

For more about Elizabeth Bender, one addition would be to go to Archon's Collection "Harold Stauffer Bender Papers, 1919-1958" and search for "translat". Also, note that many letters in the various John Horsch folders of this collection refer to Elizabeth and/or to the Bender daughters [Nancy Bender, Mary Eleanor Bender] and/or to Horsch’s son Paul [Paul Horsch].

{1} A note to researcher’s saying, “For more about Elizabeth Bender, search Archon files for ‘translat’.”

{2} Bender to “Dearest Elizabeth, February 22, 1930 [long--4 single-spaced pages of pica type; written from Berlin]: had a bit of free time, finally writing the first letter; had written one to “Correll” [likely Ernst Correll]; soon would be going to a big meeting protesting “against persecution in Russia”--going with Benjamin Unruh [Benjamin H. Unruh], now teaching in a technical university in Karlsruhe; Unruh looked much like G. K. Chesterton photos, about 275 lbs. “avoirdupois”, and he had been representing the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization, for emigration, etc.; Bender gave account of time with Unruh; Bender’s “wobbly Deutsch”; the Moehlin camp 50 miles east of Hamburg; about 1000 refugees, almost all Mennonite; talked theology with Unruh; on the “case for Paraguay”; impressions of the refugees; planning and preparing the emigration to Paraguay; wait for permission from Argentina; on letters coming through about conditions in Russia; enjoying the work but not the hotel and restaurant life; Graber and Boyd may want to see this letter, so enclosing a separate one more personal.

{3} Elizabeth & Harold Bender to U. Grant Weaver, August 21, 1930 [from Willenbach Germany; to Weaver as Principal of Goshen College’s Academy]: about whether Elizabeth would have full-time teaching as before, in light of what the catalogue just received stated about Verna Graber’s teaching Latin in the Academy [later Verna Smith, Verna Graber Smith, spouse of Willard H. Smith]; mention S. C. Yoder letter [Sanford C. Yoder], and role of Mr. Camp [likely Ezra Camp] teaching mathematics....

{4} “Father” to Elizabeth Bender, February 10, 1938 [John Horsch; no addresses]: had just written to Harold; appreciated your letter; told Harold how the operation came out; about a meeting at Mennonite Publishing House where Aaron Loucks made a confession; more about Loucks’ confession, as asked by the committee, but not yet acceptance back into the church in full standing; he was “to be pitied.”...

{5} TWO entries Bender to Farrar and Rinehart, July 18, 1945: re a work by Otto Schrag and Elizabeth Bender’s current effort

Bender to Farrer and Rinehart (New York City), July 18, 1945: “one of our scholars” [? likely Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] wants to be in touch with Otto Schrag, author of The Locust”; could you please forward the scholar’s letter?

• • • ATTACHED, cc of letter of same date, Bender to Otto Schrag, c/o Farrer and Rinehart--the scholar wanted it, since protagonists in the book were largely Mennonite; how did you come to write it, whence your material; noted that the book had been in German and that Schrag came from Karlsruhe-Ruppurr; did material come via friend Benjamin Unruh? Did you have contact with or live among Mennonites of Kansas--amd wrote with a particular Kansas community in mind? glad for such information; may you be quoted in a paper to be read at Mennonite Cultural Conference in August? [Conference on Mennonite Cultural Problems--later, “Conference on Mennonite Educational and Cultural Problems”, sometimes misprinted as “Conference on Mennonite Cultural and Educational Problems"; paper by Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender?].

{6} H. S. Bender to J. Winfield Fretz, December 6, 1945 [Fretz at Bethel College in Kansas]: enclosing “Mrs. Bender’s manuscript” [Elizabeth Horsch Bender, Elizabeth Bender; surely on Mennonites in American literature] read at Bluffton Conference [Conference on Mennonite Educational and Cultural Problems, alternately “Conference on Mennonite Cultural and Educational Problems”]--she had wanted to “revise the English carefully”; in the past Fall she had read a paper to Mennonite Historical Society on 3 Amish novels, using some language used in the Cultural Conference paper; Mennonite Quarterly Review was publishing her address--hoped this okay with Fretz; needed the manuscript “Mennonites in American Literature” [Elizabeth Horsch Bender, Elizabeth Bender] from the Cultural Conference proceedings [Note: the researcher may find another letter of the same date, perhaps releveant, in Box 12, folder of Fretz, J. Winfield].

{7} Bender to Harry L. Doyle, September 21, 1961: Elizabeth had not been using the Maico hearing aid bought from you last spring, because it did not help her with her “classroom problem”; did not know the cause, but it was a mistake to buy it.

CROSS-REFERENCED

{8} Presumably Menno Sauder to Bender, no date... attached: 3-page closely typed letter Menno Sauder to Koehn [John Koehn, J. J. Koehn; reference in a letter below mentioned “John J. Koehn, Galva, Kansas], November 14, 1943: ... mention Mabel Dunham novel Trail of the Conestoga.... [from Box 15, Folder 6 (Sauder, Menno 1939-1947].

{9} TWO entries Bender to Elsie Singmaster, June-July 1945: Re Elizabeth Bender’s scholarly work

Bender to Elsie Singmaster (Gettysburg Pennsylvania), June 20, 1945: “We” [really Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender, surely] were studying Mennonites and Amish in American literature--have you ever used Mennonite and Amish characters? Would appreciate statement of why you did or did not. [Note--related to Elizabeth’s study of Mennonite characters in literature.] [from Box 16 Folder 4 (first S-misc file)].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Bender to Elsie Singmaster, July 20, 1945: thanks for information about her literary work in response to Bender letter [Singmaster letter not extant here]; if typist available, would like copies of her short stories featuring Mennonites and Amish.

{10} THREE entries Bender <--> J. Boyd Cressman, July 19, 23, 1945: Elizabeth Bender study of Mabel Dunham works.

Bender to J. Boyd Cressman, July 19, 1945: Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] was working on a paper on “Mennonites in American Literature,” had a good letter from “Miss Dunham”, and wanted a statement that had appeared in Kitchener Record February 22 about Dunham’s literary works... [from Folder 11, Box 13, (Cressman, J. Boyd 1939-1947)].

• • • REPLY, J. Boyd Cressman to Bender, July 23, 1945: sending the issue of Kitchener Daily Record, also a copy of United Church’s youth paper, Onward, about “the author’s own life” [apparently article by Miss Dunham?]....

• • • ATTACHED, a piece about B. Mabel Dunham, under the title “Famous Canadian authors” [sic], written by John M. Elson and dated December 30, 1933--2.25 pages of single-spaced typing.

{11} TWO entries Bender <--> J. Boyd Cressman, July 26, 30, 1945; help Elizabeth’study of Mabel Dunham works.

Bender to J. Boyd Cressman, July 26, 1945: thanks for the help “with Elizabeth’s study of Mable Dunham’s writings [sic--Mabel Dunham?]; Dunham herself had informed the Benders of something she had written using Mennonite materials; apparently it was in Canadian Magazine of 1924--could Cressman look it up? . [From Box 11, Folder 13 (J. Boyd Cressman, 1939-1947)].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, J. Boyd Cressman to Bender, July 30, 1945: had found the article in Canadian Magazine--some description of it; it was good for a reader who knew nothing of Mennonites, but not for Bender and Cressman or for ... [Elizabeth Bender...].

{12} TWO entries Elizabeth Bender to Miss Mabel Dunham], July 14, 19, 1945: Dunham an author of some Mennonite-related items.

Elizabeth Bender [Elizabeth Horsch Bender] to Miss Mabel Dunham [Kitchener Ontario; variously Mable Dunham?], July 14, 1945: was writing a paper on Mennonites in American literature and planning to include Dunham’s work on Mennonites of Ontario from Dunham’s novels The Trail of the Conestoga and Towards Sodom; could Dunham gave date of article on Dunham's work some time ago in Kitchener Record?; would welcome a statement from Dunham about her connection to Mennonites; etc... [From Box 11 Folder 17 (D-misc)].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Elizabeth Bender [Elizabeth Horsch Bender] to Miss Mabel Dunham [Kitchener Ontario], July 19, 1945: thanks for reply of July 18 [not extant here]--exactly what Elizabeth had hoped for; “Our library” got “Waterloo County Historical Society reports” so Elizabeth would have access to “your articles when they appear”.

{13} Bender to Ira D. Landis, July 14, 1945: Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] was writing on “Mennonites In American literature” [sic], so studying novels of Mabel Dunham [Kitchener Ontario; variously Mable Dunham?] on emigration of Pennsylvania Mennonites to Ontario Canada; Bender remembered Landis had criticisms of Dunham’s work, Elizabeth would appreciate reading them... [From Box 14, Folder 9 (Landis, Ira D.)].

{14} Bender to I. G. Neufield [sic--I. G. Newfield; now public relations writer for Canadian National Railways, Toronto], January 7, 1945: thanks for January 8 letter [not extant here] with information about Mable Dunham’s [sic--Mabel Dunham??] new book; Bender has had correspondence with her, wanted to review it in Mennonite Quarterly Review; invitation to stop in Goshen and bring clippings... [From Box 15, Folder 9 (N-miscellaneous 1939-1947].

{15}TWO entries Wilbur H. Oda <--> Bender, October-November, 1946: re author Mabel Dunham

Wilbur H. Oda to Bender, October 23, 1946: ... reference to Miss Dunham of Canada [very probably Mabel Dunham; variously Mable Dunham?]; indicated Dunham was a descendent of Benjamin Eby; etc. [from Box 15, Folder 13 (Oda, Wilbur)].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Bender to Wilbur H. Oda, November 13, 1946: ... mention Miss Dunham [very probably Mabel Dunham; variously Mable Dunham?] and Benjamin Eby descendants...

{16} Jacob Sudermann to H. S. Bender, March 16, 1948 [in German; Bender at MCC Basel address]: paragraph about the car...; // glad to hear that Mrs. Bender [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] would be teaching in the German department.... [Note: for the letter, covered here only partially, go to Box 29, folder S3...misc].

{17} [Vera M. Isaak] to Bender, August 12, 1949: in keeping with a June minute of MCC Executive Committee putting Elizabeth Bender [Elizabeth Horsch Bender] in charge of preparing manuscripts while Bender was in Europe during the summer. [Note: for the letter, covered here only partially, go to Hiebert, Peter C. folder (1948-57 block) in Box 23].

{18} Earle S. Snyder to Bender [Earl Snyder?], September 9, 1949 [from Guelph Ontario, stationery of Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church, Kitchener]: ... news of Bender’s family; Mary Eleanor soon back from two years studying French and German in Swiss universities; Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] teaching again full-time at Goshen College. [Note: for the letter, covered here only partially, go to Box 29, folder S2...misc].

{19} Elvin V. Snyder to H. S. Bender, February 27, 1952 [from Yorktown Texas]: sending a paper through “Marlo” [Marlo Snyder; Marion Snyder ???] to evaluate as a Master’s thesis; [apparently title was “Milton and the Anabaptists”]; requests for additional bibliography, etc., and perhaps Mrs. Bender’s evaluation [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender]. [Note: for the letter, covered here only partially, go to Box 29, folder S2...misc].

Family correspondence

Includes Harold S. Bender's correspondence with wife Elizabeth, his parents George L. & Elsie Kolb Bender, daughters Mary Eleanor and Nancy, Bender & Horsch siblings, and mother-in-law Christina Funck Horsch. Correspondence with father-in-law John Horsch is filed alphabetically in earlier boxes of general correspondence.

Bender, Mary Eleanor and Nancy [later Nancy Kostek]

NOTE: many letters in the various John Horsch folders of this collection refer to Elizabeth [Elizabeth Horsch Bender, Horsch’s daughter, Bender’s spouse, herself a fine scholar and collaborator] and/or to the Bender daughters [Nancy Bender, Mary Eleanor Bender] and/or to Horsch’s son Paul [Paul Horsch].

IN THIS FOLDER:

{1 E. J. Camp to Bender, August 5, 1941 (Ezra J. Camp, Ezra John Camp; handwritten): had your letter [not extant here] and had attended to items mentioned--found Mary Eleanor’s violin [Mary Eleanor Bender, Mary Bender], not the brooch.

{2} TWO entries Bender <--> Eugene Ferrari, July-August 1948

Bender to Eugene Ferrari, Pastor (Lausanne [Switzerland]), July 21, 1948 [in German]: via their mutual friend Professor Fritz Blanke had learned that you are ready to board our daughter [Mary Eleanor Bender]; that she was 21... (other facts); wanted the price; that they themselves would travel back to the United States. [From Box 21 Folder 1, F miscellaneous 1948-1957].

• • • REPLY, Eugene Ferrari to Bender, August 2, 1948 [in French]: 360 Franks/month; comments apparently about treating her as a daughter, with freedom.

{3} Memorandum, Bender to Paul Mininger, May 28, 1956: Asking Mininger to announce to the faculty that Harold and Elizabeth Bender [Elizabeth Horsch Bender] invited faculty and their families to daughter Nancy’s marriage on June 8 to Eugene Hollinger [later Nancy Bender Kostek (sic)]. [NOTE: apparently the marriage to Hollinger did not occur??]. [From Box 27 Folder 7, Mininger, Paul].

CROSS-REFERENCED FROM OTHER FOLDERS:

RE BOTH MARY ELEANOR AND NANCY:

{4} Bender to John Umble [John S. Umble], June 15, 1935: (obviously writing from Germany)... Benders were enjoying life, had found place to live, good for the children [Nancy Bender, Mary Eleanor Bender; Elizabeth Horsch Bender], in village of Neckargemuend [Nechargemüend] about 5 miles up from Heidelberg, etc. [This from U-V miscellaneous file, 1931-1938].

FOUR entries Bender <--> steamship lines, February-June, 1947

{5} Bender to United States Lines, February 22, 1947 (“Dear Mr. Lancsweert”): ... Hoped for agent’s half-fare for himself and family; appears now they should sail either on John Ericson [sic--John Erickson ?] or on Marine Flasher; so requesting space on latter for ... Harold S. Bender [H. S. Bender; Harold Bender], Mrs. Harold S. Bender [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender], Mary Bender age 20 [Mary Eleanor Bender], Nancy Bender age 13, plus an automobile for H. S. Bender. [This from Box 10 Folder 17, the 1940-1947 file of Bender Travel Agency--personal].

• • • REPLY, W. C. Lancsweert to Bender, May 10, 1947 (writer--of United States Lines, Chicago): understood Bender himself would fly, had canceled reservations on S. S. Marine Marlin, and had guarantee of cabin class space for Elizabeth, Mary, and Nancy Bender on S. S. America New York to Cherbourg September 10....[From Box 10 Folder 17, Bender Travel Agency personal 1940-1947].

• • • AND, Bender to S. B. Henson of Cunard White Star, June 5, 1947 (address--Chicago): thanks for June 4 letter [not extant here]; eager to get news about Elizabeth Bender [Elizabeth Horsch Bender], Mary Bender [Mary Eleanor Bender], Nancy Bender, and Lois Yake possibly traveling on the Queen Mary... [From Box 10 Folder 17, Bender Travel Agency personal 1940-1947].

• • • AND, H. S. Bender, Memorandum Concerning Steamship Reservations for Elizabeth, Mary Eleanor, and Nancy, and Lois Yake”, June 13, 1947: (written as if an internal document of Bender Travel Agency and/or for MCC [Mennonite Central Committee]); on handling the different persons’ travel; mention Queen Mary,.. [From Box 10 Folder 17, Bender Travel Agency personal 1940-1947]...

{6} Bender to Oliver Snyder (Hespeler Ontario), June 7, 1947: before Bender left for Europe, writing...; Bender would go by plane now, Elizabeth and daughters come in August or September [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender; Mary Bender, Mary Eleanor Bender; Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek]. [From Box 16 Folder 4, folder S2 Sm-Sz miscellaneous 1939-1947].

{7} H. S. Bender, “Memorandum Concerning Steamship Reservations for Elizabeth, Mary Eleanor, and Nancy, and Lois Yake”, June 13, 1947: (written as if an internal document of Bender Travel Agency and/or for MCC [Mennonite Central Committee]); on handling the different persons’ travel; mention Queen Mary... [From Box 16 Folder 4, folder S2 Sm-Sz miscellaneous 1939-1947].

{8} Postcard, Lois Yake [later Lois Kanagy] to C. L. Graber, August 25, 1947: about sailing [apparently of writer and Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender, probably plus Mary Eleanor Bender and Nancy Bender] being delayed due to a strike; more detail. [From Box 12 Folder 17, Graber C. L. 1939-1947].

{9} Lois Yake to Bender, June 28, 1947: message from “Miss White” ... Cunard Lines had now promised “excellent accommodations” for the “four of us” [quite clearly Yake and Elizabeth Bender, Mary Eleanor Bender, and Nancy Bender [Elizabeth Horsch Bender; later Nancy Bender Kostek, Nancy Kostek] sailing on September 11; but Yake had also reserved passage for August 27 on the Ernie Pyle... in case Bender needed her in Europe sooner...[From Box 17 Folder 13, folder Yake Lois 1939-1947].

{10} S. B. Henson (Cunard White Star Line, Chicago) to Bender of Bender Travel Agency (MCC’s Basel address), January 16, 1948: in response to your request, now submitting eastbound reservations on the Queen Mary for August 14, 1948--for Bender himself, his spouse [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender], and the Misses Mary and Nancy Bender [daughters Mary Eleanor Bender; Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek]; prices and other details. [From Box 18, Folder 11, folder Bender Travel Agency--personal 1948-1957].

{11} Bender to Paul Mininger, May 7, 1948: ...Benders ...had passage back to America to arrive in New York on July 30; Elizabeth and the daughters would stay in Scottdale while Bender attended Mennonite World Conference [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender; Mary Eleanor Bender; Nancy Bender. [From Box 27 Folder 7, Mininger Paul 1948-1957].

{12} Bender to Paul Mininger, May 28, 1948: ... mention ...Elizabeth [[Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender], and Mary [Mary Eleanor Bender]... [From Box 27 Folder 7, Mininger Paul 1948-1957].

SPECIFICALLY MARY ELEANOR BENDER--

{13} Milo K. Miller, M.D. (South Bend Clinic) to H. S. Bender, January 5, 1939: sending the house dust sample and “suggested doses”...; would be glad to know of Mary’s progress [...likely Mary Bender, Mary Eleanor Bender].

{14} H. S. Bender to “Mrs. R. B. Shipley, Passport Division of United States Department of State, March 27, 1947 (address--Washington DC): gave passport number and requested a “military permit” for travel to the U.S., French, and British zones of Germany;... detail of his travel plan...; about having Mary Eleanor Bender accompanying ... [her parents] in travel... [From Box 10, Folder 17, the 1940-1947 file of Bender Travel Agency--personal].

{15} TWO entries Elizabeth, Mary Eleanor, and H. S. Bender correspondence, March-April 1947, about their travel in occupied Europe. [From Box 10, Folder 17, the 1940-1947 file of Bender Travel Agency--personal]

Elizabeth Horsch Bender to Mrs. R. B. Shipley, March 27, 1947 (address--Goshen)--a letter requesting her own travel, obviously to send with Bender's letter; similar one also from Mary Eleanor Bender, same date.

    • • • REPLY, Shipley to Bender, April 9, 1947: request had been “referred to the military authorities.”

{16} Bender to C. L. Graber, June 12, 1947: short of cash just now, Bender wished an extension for paying “the balance of Mary Eleanor’s account” [Mary Eleanor Bender, daughter]. [ From Box 12 Folder 17, Graber C. L. 1939-1947].

{17} Bender to Carl Kreider, December 11, 1947: requesting forms for “Mrs. Bender” to turn in grades for German study by Mary Eleanor and Lois Yake...From Kreider, Carl file 1939-1947, Box 14, Folder 7].

{18} Bender to Ernest E. Miller, August 30, 1947: ... Mary Eleanor Bender had been admitted to a university with her two years at Goshen, with someone’s influence; etc. [From Miller, Ernest E. file, 1943-1947, Box 1 Folder 2]’

{19} Lois Yake to Bender, July 14, 1947: ... Carload had gone to Cleveland to see Mary Eleanor Bender and Ray Horst [Ray E. Horst?] *and Mary Ann [no surname given; apparently not Ray Ernest Horst’s spouse.] ... [From Box 17 Folder 13, folder Yake Lois 1939-1947].

{20} SEVEN entries passage for the Benders, correspondence January-September, 1948

S. B. Henson (Cunard White Star Line, Chicago) to Bender of Bender Travel Agency (MCC’s Basel address), January 16, 1948: in response to your request, now submitting eastbound reservations on the Queen Mary for August 14, 1948--for Bender himself, his spouse [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender], and the Misses Mary and Nancy Bender [daughters Mary Eleanor Bender; Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek]; prices and other details. [From Box 18 Folder 11, Bender Travel Agency personal 1948-1957].

• • • AND, R. A. Redfern (United States Lines, Chicago) to C. L. Graber, [Christian L. Graber, Chris Graber], Acting Agent of Bender Travel Agency (Goshen address), May 13, 1948: assuring passage for the Benders, Tourist Class, 50% agency discount for Mr. and Mrs. Bender and daughter Nancy but only 6% discount for Mary Eleanor aged 19. [From Box 18 Folder 11, Bender Travel Agency personal 1948-1957].

    • • • REPLY, C. L. Graber (Christian L. Graber, Chris Graber, for Bender Travel Agency), to R. A. Redfern (United States Lines, Chicago), May 15, 1948: acknowledging Redfern’s letter and its information; needed to await further word about Mary Eleanor Bender, as she might remain in Europe

• • • CONTIGUOUS, L. E. Moore (United States Lines, Paris office) to Bender (MCC Basel address), June 14, 1948: had made the changes required for canceling ticket for your daughter [Mary Eleanor Bender (... re her decision to extend her stay in Europe)].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender (for Bender Travel Agency), to United States Lines, Paris (Att: L. E. Moore--see just above), June 30, 1948: thanks for June 23 letter [not extant here] and new ticket for the 3-berth cabin...; expecting refund on Mary Eleanor Bender ticket sent to Goshen; wanted date and hour of the “boat train” leaving Paris.

• • •AND, Bender to R. A. Redfern (Chicago), August 25, 1948: ... should he immediately make reservations for European travel next summer? if so, please reserve space for Mary Eleanor Bender’s return in latter half of August 1949--21 years old, her address the MCC Basel address.... [From Box 18 Folder 11, Bender Travel Agency personal 1948-1957].

• • • REPLY, R. A. Redfern (United States Lines, Chicago) to Bender of Bender Travel Agency (Goshen), September 10, 1948: ... had asked the Paris office to reserve space for Mary Eleanor Bender as requested.

{21} TWO entries Bender <--> R. A. Redfern (United States Lines), January 1949: booking ship reservions for Mary Eleanor return from Europe

Bender to R. A. Redfern (United States Lines), January 28, 1949: ...anticipating information about return booking for daughter Mary Eleanor Bender, preferably from Le Havre on S. S. America August 25, second choice S. S. Washington August 27. [From Box 18 Folder 12, Bender Travel Agency miscellaneous 1948-1957].

• • • REPLY, R. A. Redfern (United States Lines) to Bender, January 31, 1949: ... firm’s New York office was in communication with its Paris office about return booking for Mary Eleanor Bender.

{22} THREE entries Bender <--> R. A. Redfern (United States Lines), March & May 1949: on ship reservations for summer travel to Europe

R. A. Redfern (United States Lines, Chicago) to Bender of Bender Travel Agency (Goshen), March 7, 1949: had word that Paris office had made the reservation for Mary Eleanor Bender [see some letters above]; price and discount details.... [From Box 18 Folder 11, Bender Travel Agency miscellaneous 1948-1957].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, R. A. Redfern (see just above) to Bender of Bender Travel Agency, March 14, 1949: acknowledging the acceptance regarding Mary Eleanor Bender....

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Bender to R. A. Redfern, May 12, 1949: enclosing check for the payment; send ticket to Bender at Goshen; he would go to Europe in early June and deliver it to Mary Eleanor Bender; her present address in Lausanne, Switzerland.FOUR entries on judging credits from European universities, November 1949

{23} FOUR entries on evaluating Mary Eleanor’s academic credits from Europe

Harold S. Bender, interoffice memo to Paul Bender and Carl Kreider, re: evaluating credits from European universities, November 7, 1949: Harold wrote he was quite “disturbed” that the Registrar [i.e. Paul Bender?] had given only 1/3 to 1/2 value to credits his daughter Mary Eleanor Bender had earned at European universities; this had much wider implications than just for Mary Eleanor; so Bender posed 7 issues. [ From Box 18 Folder 13, Bender Paul 1948-1957].

• • • REPLY, Paul Bender, interoffice memo to H. S. Bender (copy to Carl Kreider), re: evaluating credits from European universities, November 10, 1949: that Harold was badly misinformed; Paul had asked Mary Eleanor Bender to come in and let Paul interpret her record; Dean Kreider had reviewed her record with Paul and the two had arrived at certain policies (elaborated); what the general practice of American universities and colleges was; explanations of cases of Immetje Terwey, Jan Matthijssen, Adolfo Comba, Walter Hodel [apparently they had come to Goshen College with European credits]; etc.

• • • REPLY, Harold S. Bender, interoffice memo to Paul Bender, re: evaluating European university credits, November 11, 1949: glad to have been corrected regarding the evaluation of Mary Eleanor Bender’s credits; what Paul had done was “quite satisfactory to me”; some further clarification of what he had been asking....

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Paul Bender, interoffice memo to H. S. Bender, re: evaluating European university credits, November 12, 1949: that United States Office of Education recommended that European credits be accepted only with the testing of the student; this seemed like a “valid” policy [for] Goshen College....

{24} James R. Clemens to Bender, January 13, 1956: Headed “List of Books purchased in Europe in the summer of 1955 by H. S. Bender”; listed titles and prices; has a section also of personal purchases by Mary Eleanor Bender. [From Box 19 Folder 9, C miscellaneous 1948-1957].

{25} H. S. Bender to Eben C. Cressman (Cressman--Camp Manager, Chesley Lake Camp, Allenford Ontario), August 11, 1956: yesterday sent telegram [not extant here] inquiring about a cabin for the Benders [Harold, Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Horsch Bender) and Mary Eleanor Bender] for week of August 20... (some detail). [From Box 19 Folder 9, C miscellaneous 1948-1957].

{26} Bender to Cornelius Krahn (Bethel College) August 25, 1948: ...about family--Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] and Nancy at home; Mary Eleanor Bender had stayed in Europe... [From Box 24 Folders 18-20, Krahn Cornelius (f. 18) 1948-1957].

{27} Bender to Paul Mininger, May 28, 1948: ... mention ... Mary [Mary Eleanor Bender]... [From Box 27 Folder 7, Mininger Paul 1948-1957].

{28} Bender to Earle S. Snyder, September 9, 1949: ...news of Bender’s family; Mary Eleanor soon back from two years studying French and German in Swiss universities... [From Box 29 Folder 2, Sf-... miscellaneous 1948-1957].

{29} Bender to Earle S. Snyder, June 22, 1950: ... Mary Eleanor Bender planning to enter Indiana University in the Fall for an M.A. in German. [From Box 29 Folder 2, Sf-... miscellaneous 1948-1957].

{30} From Box 28 Folder 19, Roy D. Roth 1948-1957:

Bender to Roy D. Roth, February 5, 1952 [to Hesston Kansas]: Mary Eleanor Bender willing to say Yes to the supprise offer of a teaching post at Hesston College; discussion of her academic progress and plans--regarding her dissertation, with probably a theme like her mother’s, “The Mennonite Theme in German Literatire”; hope you can delay her Hesston beginning until Fall 1953.

• • • REPLY, Roy D. Roth to Bender, February 9, 1952 [letterhead of Hesston College and Bible School, Roth signing as President-Elect]: yes, official action approving the delay in her start; several paragraphs of detail.

LATER: Bender to Roy D. Roth, May 25, 1953 [to Hesston College in Kansas]: Hesston had published its salary scale in its bulletin; its scale went up only to the M.A. degree; but Mary Eleanor Bender had considerable graduate training beyond the M.A.; Harold Bender wondered what Hesston contemplated her salary to be.

LATER: Bender to Roy D. Roth, February 10, 1955 [to Hesston College in Kansas]: proposing, as last year, to come to Hesston to meet with the Bible Faculty and students...; proposed that he and Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] come first weekend in March; that was the time of Mary Eleanor Bender’s birthday and coming would allow for a “special visit” with her (and for Elizabeth to visit Hesston after a long time of absence).

{31} FOUR entries Bender <--> Lore Rittmayer, 1958-1959

Bender to Lore Rittmayer, October 31, 1958 [to Miss Dr. {“Fraulein Dr.” entries Lore Rittmayer]: ... About Mary Eleanor Bender--she had completed doctoral work in German at Indiana University, planning to go to Germany next summer with a friend Miss Gloria Winslow; about Mary Eleanor and Miss Rittmayer making contact in Heidelberg, a bit on Rittmayer possibly helping Mary Eleanor find meals and lodging... [From Box 36 Folder 4, R miscellaneous 1958-1962].

• • • REPLY, Lore Rittmayer to Bender, April 6, 1959 [from Freiburg Br.; in English]: apology for length of time before answering...; she was teaching at a high school for boys; had passed through Heidelberg and gotten a lead on a room for Mary Eleanor....

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Bender to Lore Rittmayer, March 11, 1960: ... Mary Eleanor Bender would not get to Europe this summer as hoped....

• • • REPLY, Lore Rittmayer to Bender, March 25, 1960 [from Konstanz]: regret news about Mary Eleanor Bender not coming, etc....

{32} H. S. Bender to Liesel Widmer, September 28, 1960 [to Bienenberg/Liestal Switzerland]: Mary Eleanor Bender planned to attend University of Neuchatel second semester; H. S. Bender asked Liesel to get her certain materials for registering. [From Box 36 Folder 24, W miscellaneous 1958-1962].

specifically for NANCY BENDER (KOSTEK)

{33} Bender to Horsch, April 29, 1938: ... Nancy Bender broke her arm, etc. [From Box 6 Folder 2, Horsch John 1935-1938].

{34} Bender to Gingerich, December 30, 1947: thanks for the undated letter which arrived today with account of your work; Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] had written for both her and Harold about their feeling the loss [?? a son of Gingerich had been killed in an auto-bicycle accident ??]; could feel for the Gingerichs deeply because daughter Nancy [Nancy Bender] had been so severely ill with appendicitis followed by peritonitis... [From Box 12 Folder 12, Gingerich Melvin 1939-1947].

[{35} [EXPLANATORY NOTE: Nancy was born probably in 1933. In 1947-1948 the Benders spent a year in Germany mainly for Mennonite Central Committee. In December Nancy suffered a ruptured appendix, and became gravely ill. For the most informative correspondence on her illness, see Bender’s letters with one of his medical-doctor brothers, Cecil K. Bender; examples among letters immediately following:]

{36} Bender to Dr. C. K. Bender, December 26, 1947 (Cecil Bender, Cecil K. Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender, brother of H. S. Bender; address--Goshen; H. S. Bender writing from Basel): about the grave health of Nancy Bender [daughter of H. S. and Elizabeth Horsch Bender, b. 1933?, later Nancy Kostek, Nancy Bender Kostek], now suddenly worse despite recent hope she was improving; description and account of her illness; she was in a good hospital; etc...[these from Box 38 Bender, Cecil file]. [In Cecil Bender folder, Box 38].

{37} H. S. Bender to J. C. Wenger, December 31, 1947: ... [Bender discussing his work load] the burden with Nancy’s illness was “heavy”; mention keeping “My brother” C. K. Bender [Charles K. Bender] informed; comfort to know “the fellowship of saints” was praying. [From Box 17 Folder 9, Wenger John C. 1939-1947].

TWO entries Harold and Elizabeth Bender to Cecil Bender, January 1948: re Nancy’s condition

{38} Bender to Cecil (no address; surely Bender’s brother Cecil Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender), January 1, 1948 [obviously written from Europe]: about cables back and forth; detailed description of [daughter] Nancy’s condition--“Reverse peristalsis” etc., an operation (ileostomy); still not in satisfactory condition; etc. [Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek]. [In Cecil Bender folder, Box 38].

• • • AND, Harold and Elizabeth [Bender] to “Dear Cecil”, Grandma Bender, Grandma Horsch, “And all of you at home” (no address; Elsie Kolb Bender; Christine Funck Horsch; Cecil Bender, Cecil K. Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender; written on stationery of MCC headquarters at Basel), January 11, 1948: again about Nancy’s condition and developments, in great detail... [In Cecil Bender folder, Box 38].

{39} Bender to Ernest E. Miller, January 15, 1948: ... P.S. Nancy [Benders’ hospitalized daughter; later Nancy Bender Kostek, Nancy Kostek] continued to improve, with prospects of leaving hospital in a few weeks. [From Box 26 Folder 17, Miller Ernest (E.E.) 1948-1957].

{40} Cornelius Krahn to Bender, January 19, 1948: ... P.S. that he and Hilda were praying for Nancy. [From Box 24 Folder 18 (Krahn Cornelius f. 1 ... 1948-1957 Krahn folder I)].

• • • REPLY, Bender (from Basel) to Cornelius Krahn (Bethel College) January 26, 1948: glad for yours of January 19; ... thanks for your and Hilda’s prayers for Nancy [spouse Hilda Krahn; daughter Nancy Bender]....

{41} Bender to Ernest E. Miller and Carl Kreider, January 26, 1948: from strong appreciation for a Gretta Palmer article in Ladies Home Journal and experience having daughter Nancy [later Nancy Bender Kostek, Nancy Kostek] in a deaconess hospital at Basel, raised questions about importance of academics to nursing, in contrast to proper service motive, etc.; reference to La Junta nursing school vis-à-vis a collegiate program in Goshen-Elkhart area....

{42} Bender to Dear Cecil, January 29, 1948 (written from MCC address in Basel): thanks for January 23rd letter [not extant here]; about arrival of packets with a medicine and with brown sugar; other foods to send (e.g., Campbell’s soup); medical bills for Nancy (see just above) large; more details about her case... [this from Box 38 Bender, Cecil file and its resulting Folder in Archon]. [In Cecil Bender folder, Box 38].

{43} Bender to Mr. and Mrs. Christian Landes (Christian Landes, Nadja Landes; German address), January 30, 1948 (letter in German): ....news about the improving health of Nancy [the Benders’ daughter, later Nancy Bender Kostek, Nancy Kostek]... [From Box 25 Folder 7, L miscellaneous 1948-1957].

{44}TWO entries Bender to Ernest E. Miller, January-February, 1948: on Nancy’s condition in hospital

Bender to Ernest E. Miller, January 30, 1948: ...About illness of Nancy....

• • • AND, Bender to Ernest E. Miller, February 11, 1948: ...Nancy improving and likely out of hospital by month’s end....

{45} Bender to Professor Jacob Sudermann [sic], February 23, 1948 [Benders evidently at MCC Basel]; ... Nancy not yet well but doing as well as can expect. [From Box 29 Folder 3, S3 So-Sz 1948-1957].

{46} Bender to Cornelius Krahn (Bethel College) August 25, 1948: ...about family--Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] and Nancy at home... [From Box 24 Folder 18 (Krahn Cornelius f. 1 ... 1948-1957].

{47} H. S. Bender to Andrew Beachy (sic--Alvin J. Beachy; see just above), October 29, 1953: thanks for invitation, but were bringing daughter Nancy [Nancy Bender Kostek] who had to be back for school Monday morning... [From Box 18 Folder 3, B1 Ba-Bn 1948-1957].

{48} Bender to John R. Mumaw (EMC [Eastern Mennonite College; later EMU, Eastern Mennonite University]), September 7, 1955: thanks for action “on Nancy’s case”; she definitely planned to attend EMC the first semester and was on her way; mention letter of Dean Massanari [probably Carl Massanari] to Dean Lehman [? C. K. Lehman, Chester Lehman, Chester K. Lehman?]; was sure Nancy would “be happy to fit in to EMC policies in every way [attire, etc.; Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek].

{49} TWO entries Bender <--> Mary Oyer, September 23, 27, 1955, about Nancy..

Bender to Mary Oyer, September 23, 1955: ... about Nancy [Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek, Nancy Kostek] at EMC [Eastern Mennonite College; later EMU, Eastern Mennonite University]; engagement had been announced; “Eugene is here in Goshen” [likely Eugene Hollinger]. [From Box 27 Folder 16, O miscellaneous 1948-1957]

• • • REPLY, Mary Oyer to Bender, September 27, 1955: ... glad of “Nancy and Eugene’s engagement [Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek, Nancy Kostek; likely Eugene Hollinger].

{50} Bender to John H. Mosemann (Jr.), May 28, 1956: requesting that Mosemann put in Goshen College Mennonite Church bulletin that the congregation was invited to marriage of Nancy Bender to Eugene Hollinger at 7 p.m. Friday June 8 in “the Chapel Hall”; note--apparently the marriage did not happen, and later Nancy became Nancy Bender Kostek. [From Box 27 Folder 8, Mosemann John Jr. 1948-1957].

{51} Frits Kuiper to H. S. Bender, September 19, 1962 (NOTE: Bender died on September 21, 1962): much thanks for Bender’s letter [not extant here] in his own hand dated September 10th [?]; had received it the 13th and immediately tried to contact “Nancy and Greg” [likely re Nancy Bender Kostek and spouse Gregory Kostek]; he had invited Nancy to join the Amsterdam Mennonite Church... and proposed that her husband prepare for baptism; obscure statement that this was something the Mennonite Church in the USA would not be ready to do; some discussion of this, including reference to Matthew 5:32; Kuiper had done all this carefully in the knowledge T. O. Hylkema [likely Teerd Oeds Ma Hylke Hylkema, Teerd Hylkema], who had just died, would not have approved... [From K miscellaneous file, 1958-1962].

Bender, Elsie Kolb (mother)

Elsie Kolb Bender [Elsie Bender, 1875-1949], was born and reared in Ontario. She married George Lewis Bender, and was the mother of H. S. Bender and his six siblings who grew to adulthood.

{1} “Mother” to “Harold” Bender, June 15, 1936 [from Elsie Bender, Elsie Kolb Bender at Goshen]: three days since Bender had left [perhaps for Mennonite World Conference??]; about a Mr. Payne [evidently living with the Benders?]; mention Nancy [later Nancy Kostek, Nancy Bender Kostek]; mention the Lehmans [?? M. C. Lehman, Martin Clifford Lehman, and Lydia Lehman??]; mention Robert and Carolyn [likely Robert L. Bender and Carolyn Bender, Carolyn Lehman Bender]; mention Cecil and Alice [likely Cecil Bender, Cecil K. Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender, and Alice E. Bender, Alice Boren Bender]; content of meals; Mary Eleanor Bender coughing; Graber could not preach because they went to Ohio [likely C. L. Graber, Chris Graber, Christian Graber, and Mina Graber, Mina Roth Graber, Mina Amanda Roth Graber]; about an accident with a cultapacker; on Robert getting his grades from Harvard; about whether John had gotten a job in Philadelphia [likely John E. Bender]; Elsie and Elizabeth [surely Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] working in the garden; about gardens she had seen or wanted to see [apparently in Germany?]; mention trip she had been on, driving Heidelberg to Willenbach along Neckar River; mention a “Mrs. Miller and Lois” sailing [apparently on ocean?].

{2}TWO entries Indiana tax folks <--> Elsie Kolb Bender, November 1940

Gilbert R. Hewit [sic], to Elsie Kolb Bender, November 9, 1940 [Hewit--of Indiana Department of the Treasury]: that she had failed to file a tax return for 1938; detail about penalty, etc.

• • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to Gilbert E. Hewitt (sic--Gilbert E. Hewit, Director, Gross Income Tax Division, Indianapolis), November 20, 1940: writing on behalf of his mother Elsie Kolb Bender [Elsie Bender], regarding tax owed from transfer of real estate; attorney had not attended to this; sending money owed--explaining his (Bender’s) calculation--total $26.40.

{3} Harold and Elizabeth [Bender] to “Dear Cecil”, Grandma Bender, Grandma Horsch, “And all of you at home”, January 11, 1948 [no address for Cecil; Elsie Kolb Bender; Christine Funck Horsch; Cecil Bender, Cecil K. Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender; written on stationery of MCC headquarters at Basel]; original copy in Cecil’s file, photocopy in folder of each Grandma]: again about Nancy’s condition and developments, in great detail; mention “Elizabeth” [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender; Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek].

{4} ---------------

cross-file items from other folders:


{5} From Box 38, Folder 8, John E. Bender folder

John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, February 10, 1943: John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, February 10, 1943: ...sorry about “mother’s latest attack” [Elsie Bender, Elsie Kolb Bender]

{6} From Box 12 Folder 11, G miscellaneous, 1939-1947

    H. S. Bender to Arthur D. Graeff, August 30, 1946:  would be glad to see Graeff in Goshen; as Bender's mother was from Waterloo County, Ontario [Elsie Bender, Elsie Kolb Bender], much interested in Mennonites there....

{7} From Box 25 Folder 7, L miscellaneous 1948-1957

          Bender to Maurice Lehman (Bareville Pennsylvania), May 10, 1949: ...asked to be excused from the speaking engagement due to death of his mother [Elsie Bender, Elsie Kolb Bender]--buried last Saturday.

Bender, Cecil [C. K., "Zeke"]

Cecil Bender, a brother of H. S. Bender, born in 1906 and nicknamed “Zeke”, and sometimes known as “C. K.”, was a physician based at Elkhart or Goshen, Indiana. By the 1940 census Cecil’s wife was Alice E. Bender (nee Alice Boren, Alice Elizabeth Boren); in 1940 they had two daughters, and the eldest, Martha, was aged 3.

{1} Bender to “Dear Cecil”, May 24, 1932: had wanted to speak to Cecil when ir financial situation” was so serious, maybe Cecil should “drop out for the summer” to work; mention John’s role [likely another brother, John E. Bender]; further on, mention that John’s pay was delayed, so he might not be able to pay Cecil’s fees./ Strongly suggested Cecil should leave the job he was in--was not the work illegal? suggestion that the doctors with whom Cecil worked were less than respectable; if he changed, Cecil might room at Moody Bible Institute.

{2} Bender to Cecil K. Bender, April 29, 1933 [to Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton Ohio]: Sorry about “Adelia’s difficulty” [Adelia Roth, Adelia Hostetler Roth?; Cecil’s fiancee? (if so, apparently they did not wed?)]; maybe just rundown, maybe effects of a long engagement, and maybe she should “come east” and be with you and there be a wedding in August; City National bank was giving some trouble “with your last note”; Harold would try to get $20 together to pay the interest....

{3} Bender to Cecil K. Bender, September 20, 1933 [to Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton Ohio]: about Cecil’s and H. S.’s finances, quite difficult; H. S. struggling to pay a $115 note, Cecil even more; suggestion that Cecil “get help from Adelia; really the bank has treated us very well;...(a bit more).

{4} Adelia Hostetler Roth to H. S. Bender, August 5, 1937 [from Nampa Idaho]: not getting responses from Cecil, so writing to H. S.; asking what could be done about money Cecil owed her; (continued with details).

{5} Bender to Dr. C. K. Bender, December 26, 1947 [Cecil Bender, Cecil K. Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender, brother of H. S. Bender; address--Goshen; H. S. Bender writing from Basel]: about the grave health of Nancy Bender [daughter of H. S. and Elizabeth Horsch Bender, b. 1934?, later Nancy Kostek, Nancy Bender Kostek], now suddenly worse despite recent hope she was improving; description and account of her illness; she was in a good hospital; etc.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Bender to Cecil, January 1, 1948 [no address for Cecil; surely Bender’s brother Cecil Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender; obviously written from Europe]: about cables back and forth; detailed description of [daughter] Nancy’s condition--“Reverse peristalsis” etc., an operation (ileostomy); still not in satisfactory condition; etc. [Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kosteck]

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Harold and Elizabeth [Bender] to “Dear Cecil”, Grandma Bender, Grandma Horsch, “And all of you at home” [no address; Elsie Kolb Bender; Christine Funck Horsch; Cecil Bender, Cecil K. Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender; written on stationery of MCC headquarters at Basel], January 11, 1948 [no address for Cecil; Elsie Kolb Bender; Christine Funck Horsch; Cecil Bender, Cecil K. Bender, Cecil Kolb Bender; written on stationery of MCC headquarters at Basel]; original copy here, photocopy placed in folder of each Grandma]: again about Nancy’s condition and developments, in great detail; mention “Elizabeth” [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender; Nancy Bender, later Nancy Bender Kostek].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Bender to Dear Cecil, January 29, 1948 [no address of Cecil; written from MCC address in Basel]: thanks for January 23rd letter [not extant here]; about arrival of packets with a medicine and with brown sugar; other foods to send (e.g., Campbell’s soup); medical bills for Nancy large; more details about her case (e.g., she had developed “intestinal fistula”); mention Mary Eleanor Bender doing very well, although diet restricted and scheduled for another blood test.

{6} Bender to Dr. C. K. Bender (Goshen Indiana; i.e., Cecil Bender), July 2, 1952: please have plumber Marion Hartzler check the furnace installation; address reply to MCC in Basel. [LETTER LOST SINCE ANNOTATION?]

{7} ---------------

Items from other folders:


{8} Bender to C. L. Graber, June 28, 1943: ... on Mennonite Historical Society appeal to War Production Board for paper to publish a book--detail; many Society members had volunteered to help with the binding and Bender’s brother Cecil Bender had contributed $100--more detail. [Part of item in “Graber, C. L.” 1939-1947 folder].

{9} C. L. Graber to Bender, December 2, 1947: about some film meant for Bender but found in rubbish in a Dark Room Paul Hertzler used in North Hall basement; about a camera Bender’s brother Cecil Bender had paid for and Bender had taken to Europe; mention a Dr. Malcom Miller [sic--Malcolm Miller?] as owning the camera. [Part of item in “Graber, C. L.” 1939-1947 folder].

Bender, John E.

John E. Bender was a younger brother of H. S. Bender, born in 1909. Some correspendence is about dealings with Philadelphia book dealers (apparently often on Harold’s behalf.) At the time of this correspondence John had been or still was a high school social studies teacher, an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, and a staff member of the Federal Historical Records Survey. (In 1940 the school board of Yeadon Pennsylvania dismissed him from teaching American history and civics in its high school because of his stance as a conscientious objector--for his World War II experience and work as a conscientious objector, see the next folder [Box 38 Folder 8]). In 1942 he was apparently still single.

Bender, John E., 1909-1993

John E. Bender to/from H. S. Bender, March 8-11, 1938 (two entries)

John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, March 8, 1938 [on stationery of Works Progress Administration (WPA) for Pennsylvania, John E. Bender the Project Head of a Federal Historical Records Survey; nicely typed with a typist’s initial]: reminder of failure to answer about the family tree./ Wanted copy of MENNONITE ALMANAC AND YEAR BOOK for the historical records survey.

• • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to John E. Bender, March 11, 1938: apology for not answering; suggested getting copy of a letter Bender had once written giving such information to the Pennsylvania German Society./ On having bought a house.

John E. Bender to/from Harold S. Bender, March 23-April 6, 1940 (five entries)

John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, March 23, 1940 (written from Philadelphia; handwritten) on progress in selling your books; on negotiations with Campbell and Geo. McManus [George McManus, Geo. MacManus, George MacManus], with a George Allen son of George H. Allen; mention Harold’s Bibliography [Two Centuries of Mennonite Literature ?], Martyrs Mirror, Saur Bible [Sauer, Sower]; would John get the commission?

• • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to John E. Bender, March 30, 1940 John to get 10% commission; mention Rosenbach [apparently a book dealer in Philadelphia]; Christian Confession of Faith... by Andrew Bradford (1727), a book Harold wanted; mention fraktur work; etc....

• • • REPLY, John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, April 2, 1940 more such; prices, etc.; asked John to give estimate of a price for a Bender list.

• • • APPARENTLY A REPLY: undated, handwritten letter, John to H. S.: mentioned McManus [sic] and “Rosenback” [sic, Rosenbach]; gave prices of varous offers, etc....

• • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to John E. Bender, April 6, 1940 more such; that Mennonite Historical Society would have a banquet at commencement time, followed by dedication of the library.

Bender, John E., 1909-1993

Bender, Florence

NOTE: There are many references to Florence and Violet in the folders of their brothers Cecil, John E. Robert L., and Wilbur, in the same box as this folder.

{1} H. S. Bender to Mary Lockwood Matthews, August 18, 1931 [Matthews--Dean of School of Home Economics, Purdue University]: educational history of Florence Bender; could she be admitted to your graduate school; or what additional courses would she need to take? if undergraduate courses, take them at Goshen College; sending Goshen’s catalogue.

{2} “Florence” to “Dear Harold”, May 22, 1936 [from Indianapolis address]: wanted Bender to talk to a Mr. Ebersole on the Goshen schools’ Board of Education about a Mr. William F. Vogel’s desire to be Superintendent of Goshen school, Florence favoring the idea; lengthy data on him.

{3} Bender to Florence Bender, October 15, 1936 [she at Indianapolis]: He would be in Indianapolis Friday evening of next week, maybe with Elizabeth along [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender]; they would return the next afternoon, and if she wished, Florence could ride back with them; about Florence thinking of buying a new car--Harold could help her get a bargain; “Our folks” were “95%” well; on work in [on?] the house.

{4} Bender to Florence, May 26, 1937: thanks for two checks to Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender]; family chit chat; note at bottom by Florence, she sending another check.

{5} TWO entries

Florence to Bender, August 13, 1937 [from Indianapolis]: sending sample from WPA [Works Progress Administration] project for Minnesota Historical Society...; about proposed projects, for museums etc.; about someone who was in Syria where a number of Mennonites “and Violet” [Violet Bender, eventually Violet Bender Turner ??] had been; was Harold interested in a certain project?

• • • REPLY, Harold S. Bender to Florence Bender, August 15, 1937: “I wrote to Mrs. Kerr... that we are interested in a WPA project for” Goshen’s Mennonite Historical Library..../ Thanks for a check.

{6} H. S. Bender to Miss Florence E. Bender (Corvallis Oregon), June 25, 1953 (surely his sister Florence Bender): apology for hasty note; MCC appointments were for two years in Europe, three in Far East--so doubted she was interested...; mention Mary Eleanor Bender.

CROSS-REFERENCES FROM OTHER FILES


{7} From Box 11 Folder 13, Cressman J. Boyd 1939-1947

          H. S. Bender to J. Boyd Cressman, August 3, 1939: ... Florence and Mother [surely Florence Bender, Elsie Kolb Bender, Elsie Bender] were on a trip to Ontario....

Bender to/from John E. Bender, November 2-4, 1934

Bender to John E. Bender, November 2, 1934 [to Philadelphia]: had mailing from John; glad John was interested in Germantown settlement; reference to Bender’s own The Mennonite Quarterly Review article on it [see “The Founding of the Mennonite Church in America at Germantown, 1683-1708,” by Harold S. Bender, MQR 7:227-250, October 1933]; some corrections and comment on John’s version; asked for sources of one fact/.About arriving home well, reference to lumps on his left arm.

• • • REPLY, John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, November 4, 1934: at some length, responses to H. S. Bender’s comments; writing as if he were in study, with a paper to write for a Dr. Ames./ Passing on regards from the Turners [sister Violet Turner, Violet Bender Turner, and husband Shelly Turner?]; about a paper in one course, on rearmament before and after World War I [WWI]: hoped Bender’s arm lumps were gone.

John E. Bender to/from Harold S. Bender, [1937?], October 27, November 16, [December], December 20, 1937 (five entries)

“John” to Bender, penciled “[1937?”] [surely John E. Bender]: that someone at Penn State College was looking for Saur Bibles [colonial publisher Christopher Saur, Christopher Sower, Christopher Sauer]; did Bender wish to sell any? someone wanting Pastorius’ Beschreibung [?]; ...(more)..

• • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to John Bender, October 27, 1937: interested in your note attached to “mother’s letter” [note probably refers to item just above); might be willing to sell a copy of the 1776 Saur Bible; had no available copy of Beschreibung; more about such items./ Would John be able to host Bender “and maybe Hershberger” [likely Guy Hershberger, Guy F. Hershberger, G. F. Hershberger] a day or two in holiday season?

• • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to John Bender, November 16, 1937: had yours of the 11th [not extant here]; about sending a list of “our duplicates./ Would be in Philadelphia December 29-30 for a meeting of “Quakers, Mennonites, and Dunkards” [sic; Church of the Brethren, Dunkers; Historic Peace Churches; PPC] on questions of pacifists’ citizenship./ About items he would like bought at a certain book auction.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, undated note, handwritten, John to “Dear H. S.” (penciled “Dec 1937”): would Hershberger be coming? If you drive out, John might ride back with you for Christmas--otherwise he could not come; Wilbur [likely the brother, Wilbur Bender, Wilbur J. Bender] had written that he was coming to the A.H.A. meeting [likely American Historical Association], so we all might be together.

• • • REPLY, Bender to John E. Bender, December 20, 1937: no, Harold was not driving to Philadelphia; travel plans in the East (Scottdale and Akron, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia and New York....

John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, April 15-June 13, 1940: book trade developments (four entries)

John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, April 15, 1940 lengthy, on book trade developments.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to John E. Bender, April 17, 1940 more of same; mention Ephrata Cloisters.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to John E. Bender, April 20, 1940.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to John E. Bender, June 13, 1940 more of same; wished to know of John’s plans for coming home--Harold would leave for two weeks in Europe, sailing June 29, stopping in Philadelphia a few days before embarking.

Results 1 to 15 of 5039