Census: 1880 Edgerton, Rock Co., Wisconsin: age 60, dealer in tobacco

"History of Rock County, Wisconsin", 1879, p 841.
WM. P. BENTLEY, wholesale leaf tobacco dealer, Edgerton; born in Reedsville, Penn., Sept. 2, 1819; son of Hezekiah and Sylvia (WELLS) BENTLEY, who moved to New York State, where W. P. BENTLEY received his early education; in 1839, he came West and settled in the lead mines, near Galena, Ill., and, in 1841, he moved to Wisconsin, staying a short time in Grant Co., then moved to Dane Co., where he settled and resided since 1846; came to Edgerton, and started his present business in 1872, commencing first in a small way, till now he ships 2,000 cases on an average annually. Married, January, 1847, Mrs. H. L. TRUEMAN, daughter of Eden BURDICK, a native of Connecticut; their children are Aden W., Francis M., Charles R., William F. and Louisa. Mrs. BENTLEY had by her first husband one child, Nancy Cornelia TRUEMAN, now Mrs. Z. H. BOWEN. Mr. BENTLEY is member of Masons and I.O.O.F., Temple of Honor, Sons of Temperance and Grange. Held the office of Supervisor in Dane Co. several terms. Liberal in religion and politics.

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 55, No 1, p 9, Jan. 2, 1899.
William Perry Bentley died of general debility in Edgerton, Rock County, Wis., December 15, 1898, in the 80th year of his age. He was born September 2, 1819 in Potter County, near Coudersport, Pa., the son of Hezekiah and Sylvia (Wells) Bentley. He traced his ancestry in this country among leading families of the early Puritans and the Pilgrim Fathers of Massachusetts and the settlers of Rhode Island. Some of them defended the cause of American freedom in the Wars of the Revolution and of eighteen hundred and twelve against Great Britain. He possessed the distinctive Bentley trait of character shown conspicuously in American and previously in English homes of determined opposition to despotism, ???? religious or social.
When he was a boy his parents moved into Allegany County, N. Y. to a place sometimes called Bentley's Creek, where he was taught the mere rudiments of an education. At twenty years of age he was at Canton, Fulton County, Ill., where he attended an academy for a time, then he was employed in the lead mines near Galena in that state, and stopped for a while in Grant County, Wis., and finally near Warren, Ill. By 1846 he had settled in Utica, Dane County, Wis. on a farm, and in January of the following year he married Mrs. Harriet L. Truman, a daughter of Adin Burdick, a pioneer settler in the town of Albion, Wis. where he came to reside. In 1850 he crossed the Plains and the Rockies to California, and returned home the next year by the way of the Panama Isthmus. In 1872 he removed to Edgerton and there engaged in commercial business.
He early joined the Seventh-day Baptist church in Albion, rendered efficient service in the erection of its meeting house, and died in its membership. Formerly he was a prominent delegate from this church in the sessions of the North Western Association. While living in Albion he also held for several terms the office of town supervisor in the Dane County Board.
His wife died some years ago, and he has since made his home with his oldest son, A. Wallace Bentley, of Edgerton. Two other sons survive him: Charles R., of the last named city, and Fred W., Esq., of Wichita, Kas. Two daughters were born to him: Mrs. Frances M. Pells, deceased, and Mrs. Louisa B. Scarcliff, of Indian Ford, Rock County, Wis. To his wife by her first husband was born a daughter, now Mrs. Z. H. Bowen, of Chicago, Ill., who has always been held as an endeared member of the family.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. C. Whitford, President of Milton College, on Sabbath afternoon December 17, at both the home of the eldest son and at the house of worship of the Edgerton Congregational church, whose pastor assisted in the services. The sermon was based on James 4: 14, "For what is your life?" The music was furnished by the choir of the last named church.

Census: 1880 Edgerton, Rock Co., Wisconsin: age 60

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 46, No 8, p 125, Feb. 20, 1890.
January 30, 1890, in Edgerton, Wis., Mrs. Louisa Bentley, aged 71 years.
She had suffered for months from a cancer, which ended her life. She was the daughter of Adin Burdick, a pioneer settler in Albion, Wis. She was born in 1819, in Brookfield, N. Y., where her father lived in early life. Upon his removal to Wisconsin, she came with him, a widow with one child. Four years afterwards she married William P. Bentley, who survives her. They lived until 1872 on a farm two miles south of Edgerton, to which city they then changed their residence. Five children were born to them, all now living in or near Edgerton, and in Wichita, Kan. She joined the Albion Seventh-day Baptist Church soon after it was formed, and occasionally, during later years, she attended services with the Milton Church. She was an affectionate wife, a fond mother, a kindly sister, and a beloved neighbor. Her funeral was held at her home the Sunday following, and was largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. J. L. Keller, pastor of the Congregational Church at Edgerton, who was assisted by Pres. Whitford, of Milton College. By request, the text was used. "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."