Rebecca J. Griffith

The Johnstown, PA "Tribune" issue of 25 January 1923

MRS. R.J. BENDER, AN OCTOGENARIAN, DIES OF PARALYSIS

Deceased Made Home Here Since 1920, When She Was Stricken at Stoyestown

FUNERAL ON SATURDAY

Mrs. Rebecca J. Bender, aged 80 years, who was identified with one of the oldest families of Somerset County, died at 12:45 o'clock this morning at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Zimmerman, 823 Franklin street, where she had been residing since May, 1920, when she was stricken with paralysis at her residence in Stoyestown. Her condition became critical about a fortnight or so ago. Mrs. Bender was a cousin of the Thomas and Von Lunen families of this city.

The deceased was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Griffith and was born October 12, 1842, near Jenner Cross Roads, Somerset County. She was one of a family of nine children, three daughters and six sons, and is the eighth of the number to pass away. Her surviving brother is Matthew S. Griffith, of Derry. Levi Griffith was a miller and farmer and was engaged in business at Jenner Cross Roads for a long time before establishing a mill at Waterford. The Levi Griffith family came to Johnstown early in the '80s and located in the Sixth Ward. Both her father and mother died in Jenner Township, her mother before the Civil War and her father about 20 years ago.

Mrs. Bender was married twice, the first time late in the '50s to Levi Berkey, who served in Company I, 93d Regiment, P.V.I., during the Civil War. Mr. Berkey died on his farm in Jenner Township, in December, 1872. To this union the following children were born: Ella, wife of John W. Hoffman, of 326 Luzerne street, Westmont; Franklin E. Berkey, of 1480 Franklin street; Anna, wife of H.F. Zimmerman, mentioned above, and Atley L. Berkey, of 711 Franklin street. In 1882 the deceased married John F. Bender, also a veteran of the Civil War. He served in Company G, 93d Regiment, P.V.I., having gone out from Stoyestown under Capt. A.C. Maitland. Private Bender was wounded at Petersburg, Va., in March, 1865, and was in an army hospital when the company was mustered out of service in the summer of that year. John F. Bender died in Stoyestown on April 23, 1915, at the age of 83 years, leaving his widow and a son, the latter being F.G. Bender, D.D.S., of 1101 Edson avenue, Eighth Ward.

Besides her brother and sons and daughters, Mrs. Bender is survived by 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.