Charles Bender, Senior, of Houston, one of the oldest lumbermen in the South, has passed over the river to join his son and namesake, who preceded him but a few months. He died on the 13th instandt at the old home surrounded by his immediate family. Surviving him are his widow, his daughter, Mrs. Barr, three sons, E. L. Bender, F. V. Bender, and A. Bender. Thirteen grandchildren also survive him.

Mr. Bender at the time of his death was 76 years of age. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to Texas in 1845, settling first at San Antonio. Thence he moved to Austin, afterward going to New Braunfels, coming from the latter city to Houston in 1874.

Mr. Bender purchased tracts of timber land in the neighborhood of the present Humble oil field. Therein he built a saw mill, which no doubt experienced the hardships which attended the manufacture and sale of yellow pine in the early days, but later emerged into splendid prosperity. Mr. Bender in his lifetime acquired a large fortune. It originally came from the pine forests, but later it was augmented by investments in Houston real estate. His death is deeply deplored by a loving family and by hosts of friends whom he had acquired and held through a long lifetime lived in honesty, peace and goodwill toward his fellow man.