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Harold Stauffer Bender Papers Bender, John E., 1909-1993
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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

Bender, John E. WWII dismissal as CO &c

John E. Bender as WWII C.O.

Entries in this folder are mainly about John E. Bender being asked to resign his high-school teaching post because of his conscientious objector stance, and the sequel.

About 25 entries:

{1} Copy, Louis H. Schneider to John E. Bender, December 3, 1940 (Schneider writing for the Yeadon Pennsylvania school board): While it regrets exceedingly to do so, the Board of School Directors of the Borough of Yeadon, after very careful review, asked for John‘s resignation as a teacher of American History and Problems of Democracy--because of John‘s refusal to do draft work assigned him on Registration Day, as the board understood, due to being a conscientious objector; “It is quite difficult for the Board to understand how you can be properly qualified to teach these [above-named] subjects in view of your objections and refusal to perform civic duties”.

{2} FOUR ENTRIES} 2 letters lost:

    Ribbon copy, Guy G. deFuria to John E. Bender, January 21, 1941 (not on official stationery; writer not identified--but next letter refers to a letter received from the Board’s solicitor): The Board has requested me to reply to the December 30 letter. Board members still thought John should resign forthwith; but writer did not know whether the Board intended to take further action.

• • • John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, February 1, 1941: enclosing letter received from Solicitor of the Board of Education in answer to my letter of December 27 to the Board [not extant here]; after talking to Mr. Koch John had impression the Board did not wish to begin dismissal proceedings at this time; some comment; John had a note from Paul French [Paul Comly French, a Quaker who was Director of the NSBRO (National Service Board for Religious Objection)]; on February 5 French would discuss the situation with Dr. Haas, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. / Harold Evans was now in Europe under AFSC [American Friends Service Committee; Quakers]; John had been in close touch with Paul J. Furnas, whom you know, and had also met William C. Biddle who worked in France with Orie O. Miller after World War I.

NOT LOST:

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Copy, Paul Comly French to John E. Bender, February 6, 1941 conversation yesterday with Haas not entirely satisfactory but gave opportunity to present our viewpoint; Haas had held back saying he might have to act on the case in a judicial capacity, but expressed interest in receiving documents; Haas suggested French speak with Executive Secretary of the Pennsylvania School Board Association; French had spoken with Preston Van Ness who suggested French give him material to present to the annual conference of school directors meeting today and tomorrow; thought another visit to Dr. Haas might be good

• • • .REPLY, Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, February 12, 1941: thanks; French had already sent H. S. a copy of the school Board’s letter to John.

{3} TWO entries

Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, March 17, 1941: on a trip East Harold had tried to telephone John but gotten someone who said you no longer lived there.

{4} TWO entries

John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, “March 9, 1942”: detailed account of what John was doing vis-à-vis the draft--his superintendent [at Barratt Junior High School, Philadelphia ??] was working for deferments for the teachers; which forms John was filling out and which he was marking X; I have planned to use material from the Yeadon situation, Goshen College experience etc.; wished copy of the 1937 [Turner statement] “Peace, War, and Military Service” and addresses of D. C. Yoder [meaning S. C. Yoder?--Sanford C. Yoder] and Graber [probably C. L. Graber--Christian L. Graber, Chris Graber], and Hershberger [surely Guy F. Hershberger]; interested in “some alternative work [military draft, selective service system, conscientious objection, pacifism, nonresistance, Civilian Public Service, alternative service, CPS] such as health work or work in South America or Mexico"; "I have been meeting with a Friends Service [AFSC?--American Friends Service Committee?] Cooking Unit here in Philadelphia that sends baked goods to the camp at Cooperstown, New York; welcomed suggestions.

• • • REPLY, Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, March 12, 1942 had given John‘s letter on draft my best thought; gave him some technically correct names, e.g. Goshen College Mennonite Church, C. L. Graber pastor [Christian L. Graber, Chris Graber]; could apply directly to AFserco [Afserco] Unit in Mexico or do it through MCC [Mennonite Central Committee]; more, detail about applying, local draft board, etc.

{5} TWO entries

John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, March 22, 1942 had gotten a 90-day deferment, i.e. to end of school year; would be moving, mother would have his new address.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, April 23, 1942 advised applying to serve under AFSC [American Friends Service Committee] in Mexico, at the Afserco office; that office would inquire with MCC [Mennonite Central Committee]; if John did not pass the draft board’s physical exam he could serve in Mexico for the summer, then return to teaching; if he passed the physical exam, he might seek IV-E (conscientious objector) classification and extend his service for a richer experience; more detailed advice... [military draft, selective service system, conscientious objection, pacifism, nonresistance, Civilian Public Service, alternative service].

{6} FOUR entries

Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, June 3, 1942: from a satisfactory interview with Mr. Hamer of National Archives [very probably Philip May Hamer, Philip M. Hamer, Philip Hamer] in Washington, had learned that the agency was interested in conscientious objectors coming from CPS [Civilian Public Service] camps, for their staff; detailed instructions about applying; mention the three historic peace churches, how they would cooperate in this case; mention Henry Fast [H. A. Fast, Henry A. Fast]; mention Quintus Leatherman who would be [CPS camp-]director at Marietta; mention J. N. Weaver of our National office in Washington [Joseph N. Weaver of NSBRO office--National Service Board for Religious Objectors].

• • • REPLY, John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, June 7, 1942, glad for the news about National Archives work; supposed he did not need to send the sketch of his work experience now, but was organizing the information for whenever needed.

• • • REPLY, Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, June 13, 1942, John should send Harold his autobiographical sketch [vita sheet; vitae sheet; curricula vitae] as soon as possible; Harold had promised a copy to Mr. Hamer of National Archives [very probably Philip May Hamer, Philip M. Hamer, Philip Hamer]; NSBRO [National Service Board for Religious Objectors] had promised to furnish teachers for Japanese Concentration Camps of the West [Japanese internment camps; Japanese relocation camps; Japanese detention camps], with Henry Fast [H. A. Fast, Henry A. Fast] the MCC [Mennonite Central Committee] person in charge of this; Harold’s temporary address was Continuation Wing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

• • • CONTIGUOUS, Document, RECORD OF JOHN E. BENDER--a vita sheet apparently from July 1942,--surely the autobiographical sketch Harold requested in letter of June 13, 1942,.

{7} Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, August 21, 1942, had word from J. N. Weaver [Joseph N. Weaver of NSBRO--National Service Board for Religious Objectors] that John would be ordered to Camp Marietta; George Reaves would notify National Archives; Harold doubted he would stay with John when in Philadelphia.

{8} TWO entries

Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, September 19, 1942: John‘s letter [not extant here] had arrived yesterday telling of arriving in camps and of future plans. Harold was sure John would find company there congenial. Selective service [military draft, selective service system, conscientious objection, pacifism, nonresistance, Civilian Public Service, alternative service] was tightening furlough policy; first Harold had heard that Orrin Beachey [Orrin Beachy?] was Educational Director at Marietta CPS Camp; was to be Leland Brenneman but then his drafting was delayed, and Harold guessed Fast [H. A. Fast, Henry A. Fast] had chosen Beachey; comment about what was wanted in an Education Director [as if John might be a candidate?]; news from National Archives was not promising but Harold had not given up.

• • • REPLY, Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, October 14, 1942, [addressed to John at CPS Camp No. 8, Marietta Ohio]: about a trip John was taking from Marietta to Goshen; what he was doing with his car?

{9} THREE entries

Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, November 24, 1942: had disappointing letter form P. M. Hamer of the National Archives [very probably Philip May Hamer, Philip M. Hamer, Philip Hamer]; not clear whether lack of opening was in the whole Archives or in its Reference Service; had learned from NSBRO [National Service Board for Religious Objectors] that National Archives had not filled out forms properly to qualify to use conscientious objectors; Harold would be in Washington within next four weeks and try to get better information; please advise Harold about your finances--did you have to sell your car to pay the loan to Quintus [surely Quintus Leatherman]? mention Princeton [see below at March 19, 1943].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, February 8, 1943: thanks for good letter; had 3-day furlough for coming weekend, planned to drive to Elkhart; asked Harold to arrange an appointment with Hay....

• • • ATTACHED, John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, February 10, 1943: John E. Bender to H. S. Bender, February 10, 1943: on plans to come home; car deal fell through; could ride with “Wenger” [Robert Wenger?] back to camp; suggested H.S. make an appointment with “Hay” while John was home...: sorry about “mother’s latest attack” [Elsie Bender, Elsie Kolb Bender]

{10} FOUR entries

John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, February 28, 1943: had heard nothing from Princeton [Princeton University? Princeton Theological Seminary?]; personal news, furlough policy; appointment with Hay; another, same day--more of same, mention Princeton; mention Leland Brenneman, Dave Moyer of Elkhart [David Moyer, David Meyer?]; a bit on personal bills and insurance. / On same sheet, a quick handwritten message [apparently for telegram], Harold Bender to H. A. Fast [Henry A. Fast], no date: Mininger will serve Grottoes as planned, probably Sidling Hill later [Paul Mininger ??].

• • • REPLY, Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, March 19, 1943 [to C.P.S. camp at Marietta Ohio--Camp Marietta]: every day was expecting word of the official release of the Princeton project and related C.P.S. Training Corps [CPS Training Corps; military draft, Selective Service System, conscientious objection, pacifism, nonresistance, Civilian Public Service, alternative service]--appeared that only red tape is holding it up; would inform John when everything cleared; family news, mention Cecil Bender and Grandma [Elsie Bender; Elsie Kolb Bender].

• • • CONTIGUOUS, John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, April 7, 1943: wanted to keep Harold informed; Marietta camp would close May 1; Mosemann was here yesterday and we Princeton and China men apparently would go to another eastern camp if Marietta closed before the projects open--Neff, Holsinger [Justus Holsinger??], and John were asking to go to Hagerstown; personal news, his finances; would not ask again about Princeton, but what about National Archives? camp news.

• • • REPLY, Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, April 12, 1943: Princeton Unit now officially approved, and John and Holsinger [Justus Holsinger??] names were on list for it; sending $10.

{{11} TWO entries

John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, April 21, 1943: thanks for Harold’s of April 12; did not look as if camp would be closed by May 1, would probably take several more weeks; John pitied folks at NSBRO [National Service Board for Religious Objectors] burden with the clerical work; mention Bob and Carolyn [Robert Bender and Carolyn Bender?]; can H.S. think of anything that would make for an emergency furlough?

• • • CONTIGUOUS, John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, Easter Sunday [1943? in pencil--from internal evidence surely 1943; if so, April 25, 1943]: much activity at CPS Camp No. 8, Marietta Ohio; quite a few men going to North Fork for dairy farm work, some becoming dairy testers, rest of us to Luray Virginia, including John if transfer to Princeton did not come first; about coming to Goshen; Bob [Robert Bender? Robert Wenger?] hoped to come to Goshen en route to Puerto Rico; a fellow camper, a Methodist [not named], wanted to get into CO Reserve [Conscientious Objector Reserve, Conscientious Objectors Reserve??]--details about him.

{12} TWO entries

Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, April 26, 1943: had late word that the Princeton Unit was transferred to University of Pennsylvania; Harold understood Hollsinger [sic--Holsinger? Justus Holsinger?] and John would be placed in Goshen for the summer, John to work in our library; this information not for public release.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, John E. Bender to “Dear Mother” [Elsie Bender, Elsie Kolb Bender], May ?? [illegible], 1943 (stationery of CPS Camp No. 101, Relief and Reconstruction Research Unit, Philadelphia): had arrived well, things in the process of being fixed up, already working full pace, good to be in a university library; please try to have Bob pack up and send clothes [Robert Bender?]

{13} THREE entries

John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, July 1, 1943 (stationery of CPS Camp No. 101, Relief and Reconstruction Research Unit, Philadelphia): work going well; finished Bibliography and Study Outline for M. C. Lehman’s course in Relief Administration [Martin Clifford Lehman, Cliff Lehman]; had good time at International Relief Administration at Bryn Mawr under Dr. Hertha Kraus; mention Quaker CPSer Allen Eister--John and he writing histories of various relief agencies, national and international, public and private. / Planning to marry Anne Curran within two weeks--had been engaged a year and a half; details; hoped to have Harold’s blessing.

• • • CONTIGUOUS, John E. Bender to Harold S. Bender, September 27, 1943 (typed letterhead CIVILIAN PUBLIC SERVICE RESEARCH CENTER, Philadelphia): detailed report on his work; short of manpower; mention Earl Garver, the Brethren representative [Church of the Brethren], leaving because not properly transferred--and Friends [Quakers] had not yet appointed anyone; John was sole researcher under Doctors Burke and Lehman [probably Eldon R. Burke; M. C. Lehman?--Martin Clifford Lehman, “Cliff” Lehman?] mention working under Dr. Kraus [probably Hertha Kraus]; trying to be sure to get literature on Mennonites, including Resettlement of Russian Mennonites in Paraguay [South America]; mention Levi Hartzler [Levi C. Hartzler]; could Harold send source materials? would like complete set of Mennonite Quarterly Review, which Dr. Burke would appreciate also; thinking of a booklet on history and philosophy of Mennonite relief, modeled on “Mennonites and Their Heritage” series; Anne was fine, not yet out here.

• • • REPLY, Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, October 1, 1943: not authorized by Mennonite Historical Society to give the set of Mennonite Quarterly Review but ideas of how to charge it to MCC [Mennonite Central Committee]; the booklet idea was excellent; idea of having Carl Kreider doing it, but he was busy with “project at Ypsilanti”--perhaps he could in second semester; mention M. C. Lehman [Martin Clifford Lehman, “Cliff” Lehman?]; other remarks about sources on Mennonite relief.

Harold S. Bender to John E. Bender, October 8, 1943: thanks for John’s two letters of October 4 and 6 [not extant here]; had sent Mennonite Quarterly Review shipment; knew of nobody to suggest as secretary at Philadelphia; good idea to use wedding gift money for a bed; For Conscience Sake was all out of print; interested in printing “the bibliography on Mennonite Relief work” in Mennonite Quarterly Review; Harold would write to M. C. Lehman about that [Martin Clifford Lehman, “Cliff” Lehman?].

Bender, John E., 1909-1993

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