Although Bates lists him as drafted, he was almost certainly a volunteer. First, he was mustered in on 16 August 1862, but the draft did not start until 1863. Second, he received a bounty, which was given only to volunteers. Finally, the company G descriptive rolls do not list him as drafted. [sources: 9, 10]
He was born in 1832/33, in Baltimore, Maryland, apparently to John A Bender and Acsah [unknown surname]. [sources: date: 9 (28 in 1862), 10 (29 in 1862), 12 (27 in 1860), 14 (16 in 1850), 15 (37 in 1870). place: 9, 10, 12, 14, 15 parents: 12, 14]
In 1850, he was living in ward 4, Southwark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his apparent parents John A and Acsah Bender, and with Susan and Jacob (presumably siblings). He was farming. [source: 14]
In 1859/1860, he married Abby [unknown surname]. [source: 12]
In 1860, he was living in the 14th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 1213 Myrtle Street. He was living with Abby (presumably his wife, since they had both been married within the year), and with Achsah (presumably his mother). He was a dental worker, and owned $200 in personal property. [sources: 12, 16]
When he enlisted, he was a toothmaker or dentist. [sources: 9 (toothmaker), 10 (dentist)]
Perhaps the Jacob Bender who served in the 91st is his brother. (Note in particular their occupations, and the 1850 census below.)
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. [sources: 9 (5'5"), 10 (5'6")]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 16 August 1862. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Closson or Lieutenant Pierce. He served as a private in company G. [sources: 1, 9 (Closson), 10 (Pierce), 25]
He was paid a $25.00 bounty and a $4.00 premium. [source: 9]
He was wounded at the Battle of Frederickburg, by being hit by a shell. He was received at Campbell Hospital on 17 December 1862. [source: 13]
He was returned to duty from the hospital on 4 March 1864. [source: 5]
On 16 December 1863, either he or Jacob Bender was detailed as nurse to Captain Faust, who died two days later. [source: 3]
On 17 December 1863, he was received at Campbell Hospital, because of a shell wound. [source: 11]
On 30 December 1863, Sinex reported that he was one of 30 men who had more than fifteen months to serve who were willing to reenlist. On 2 January 1864, he was transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, while those eligible were on veterans' leave. While he was in the 155th PA, he was detailed as stretcher bearer. He was still detailed as a stretcher bearer in September (?) 1864. [sources: 2, 6, 7]
On 15 April 1864, Lieutenant Colonel Sinex recommended him for a detail, in compliance with general order 18 (8 April 1864) from the Army Headquarters. He does not say what the detail was for. [source: 4]
He was discharged near Washington, DC, by general order 26, War Department, on 1 June 1865 or 30 March 1865 by general order. He was a private, in company G. [sources: 1 (30 Mar), 8 (1 Jun), 25]
He seems to have married Sallie [unknown surname]. (Perhaps she is the same person as the Abby he married in 1859/60.) They seem to have had at least three children:
[sources: 15, 17, 18, 19]
On 25 October 1866, Mary W Bender was born to John W and Sallie Bender in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 17]
On 19 August 1867, his apparent daughter Mary Bender died. She died of cholera infantum. She died at 1224 Myrtel [sic] Street, ward 14, Philadelphia. On 19 August 1867, she was buried in American Mechanics Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 20]
On 22 September 1867, John Wesley Bender was born to John and Sallie Bender in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 18]
On 2 August 1868, his apparent son John Bender died. He died at 1224 Myrtle Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of cholera infantum. On 4 August 1868, he was buried in American Mechanics Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 21, 24]
On 5 September 1868, Charles W Bender was born to John W and Sallie Bender in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 19]
On 14 July 1869, his apparent son Charles Bender died. He died of cholera infantum. He died on 827 Judson Street, ward 15, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 16 July 1869, he was buried in American Mechanics Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 22]
In 1870, he was living in ward 14, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living at 827 Judson Street. He was living with his apparent wife Sallie. He was an artificial tooth maker. [sources: 15, 16]
In 1875, he was still a toothmaker, living at 827 Judson Street. [source: 16]
On 5 July 1878, Sallie B Bender died, in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey. (I do not know whether she was John W Bender's wife.) She died of phthisis pulmonalis. She was buried in American Mechanics Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 23]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 30 December 1863
3 special order 116, HQ 91st PA, 16 December 1863
4 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 15 April 1864
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 4 March 1864 (John W Bender)
6 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (John W Bender)
7 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 January 1864 (Bender)
8 company G, register of men discharged, #59 (John W Bender)
9 company G, descriptive roll, #95 (John W Bender)
10 company G, second descriptive roll, entry [12] (John W Bender [?])
11 'The battle of Fredericksburg Va: list of killed and wounded', Philadelphia Inquirer, 20 December 1862, page 3 (JW Bender)
12 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 14th ward, 1st division, microfilm series M653, film 1164, page 353 = 353 handwritten (Jno A Bender)
13 'The Battle of Frederickburg, Va', Philadelphia Inquirer 20 December 1862 page 3 (J W Bender)
14 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Southwark, ward 4, microfilm series M432, film 822, page 320 = 675 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Bender)
15 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 14, district 41, microfilm series M593, film 1400, page 144 recto = 83 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John W Bender)
16 Philadelphia city directories
17 [not transcribed] abstract of birth register, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1866, page 280 (FamilySearch) (Mary W Bender born to John W and Sallie Bender)
18 [not transcribed] abstract of birth register, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1867, page 234 (FamilySearch ) (John Wesley Bender born to John and Sallie Bender)
19 [not transcribed] abstract of birth register, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1868, page 222 (FamilySearch) (Chas W Bender born to John W and Sallie Bender)
20 [not transcribed] death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 19 August 1867 (FamilySearch) [note that the FamilySearch index has the cemetery as 'Arnle'; I think it's 'AMC'] (Mary Bender daughter of J Wesley and Sarah Bender)
21 [not transcribed] death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 4 August 1868, John W Bender (1224 Myrtle) (FamilySearch)
22 [not transcribed] death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 1869, Charles Bender (FamilySearch)
23 burial permit, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 5 July 1878, FamilySearch (Sallie Bender)
24 individual record, John W Bender, died 2 August 1868
25 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John W Bender)
| line | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Dwellings visited | 1125 | ||||
| Families visited | 1307 | ||||
| Name | John A. Bender | Acsah " | Susan " | John " | Jacob " |
| Age | 52 | 47 | 18 | 16 | 11 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | M |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Bricklayer | Farming | |||
| Real estate owned | |||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Penna] | New Jersey | Penna | Maryland | Penna |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | |||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Dwelling number | 2277 | ||
| Family number | 2551 | ||
| Name | Jno A Bender | Abby | Achsah |
| Age | 27 | 27 | 57 |
| Sex | m | f | f |
| Color | |||
| Occupation | Dental Worker | ||
| Value of real estate owned | |||
| Value of personal estate | 200 | ||
| Place of birth | Maryland | N Jersey | " |
| Married within year | 1 | 1 | |
| Attended school within year | |||
| Cannot read & write | |||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 13 | 14 |
| Dwelling-house number | 539 | |
| Family number | 640 | |
| Name | Bender John W | - Sallie |
| Age | 37 | 29 |
| Sex | M | F |
| Color | W | W |
| Occupation | artificial tooth maker | Keeping house |
| Real estate value | ||
| Personal estate value | 500 | |
| Birthplace | Maryland | New Jersey |
| Father foreign born | ||
| Mother foreign born | ||
| Birth month if born within year | ||
| Marriage month if married within year | ||
| Attended school past year | ||
| Can't read | ||
| Can't write | ||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | |
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
The following is a list of wounded received at Campbell Hospital December 17, 1862, J. H. BANTER, Surgeon in Charge--
The Certificate of Death having been furnished to me, as required by the Laws of this State, I hereby issue to J V Middleton this Permit for the Burial of Sallie B Bender aged 38 yrs 10 m, who died at Camden, in the County of Camden on July 5th 1878; the cause of death being Phthisis Pulmonalis
Place of Burial Mechanics Cem, Philada
[note that the FamilySearch index has the surname as 'Binder' (which I agree is possible, although no dot is visible above the letter) and John's age as '57' (which I think is wrong, although the '2' is written sloppily]
[identification is probable, since (1) his birthplace and (2) his occupation match those listed in the company descriptive books (entries 9 and 10 above)]
[that this is 1213 Myrtle is clear from the following data:]