The Bendorf Family of Miami County
It all started in 1868 when Albert J. and Margaret Hastings Bendorf came to Miami County.
They had been married in Putnam Co., Mo. In 1865. Albert was born in 1830 in Prussia and
came to America as a cook on a cattle boat. He served in 1862 in the Union Army 45
Regiment, Mo Militia. Two children, Francis and Richard, were born in Mo. Albert & Margaret
bought a farm in Wea Twp. Eight more children were born, Caroline, Fredrick, Charles,
Louisa, Henrietta, Jacob, Albert & Katherine.
Jacob married Martha Jane Whitmore in 1920. They had 3 children, Harold and twins Ray &
Fay. Harold died at 4 years old. Fay had 4 children, Ronald Harold, Dorothy & Luther.
Ray had served 2 years in the Army in Germany 154-56. He then went to work for Jack
Cooper Transport co of Kansas City. He retired after 32 years. Ray married Betty Louise
Jenkins Harper in 1975.
Ray was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies, Your Rite and Abdallah
Shrine, Eastern Star and Louisburg Shrine Club. He participated in parades with the
Mounted patrol on his horse Paladin. His pride was in helping several children go to the
Shrines Children Hospital.
Ray & Betty like to work horses and had “pulling ponies”. George & Dan and Dick & Rowdy.
Eventually they got some Registered Shorthorn cattle and registered Suffolk Draft horses.
We raised Cattle and horses for awhile and then settled down to using 2 geldings, Bud &
Prince, to give hay rides at the Louisburg Pumpkin Patch. He gave the proceeds to the
Shrine Hospital for children. Finally, Ray, Betty and horses gave out. The family farm was
sold in 2008. Ray passed on in 2009. Betty works at the Miami County Historical Museum
(still since 1983).
Betty is a member of Eastern Star, Marais des Cygnes Chapter of the Daughters of the
American Revolution and the Historical/Genealogy Society.
Betty had 2 children Wayne Harper who has a farm near Pleasanton and Jeanette Harper
Mathena who has a farm with husband Rick near McLouth, Ks. Jeanette has 2 children
Elizabeth and Jarrod. Elizabeth has a daughter, Regan Cassidy which gives us the right to
have a 4 generation photo taken.
Betty Bendorf
It all started in 1868 when Albert J. and Margaret Hastings Bendorf came to Miami County.
They had been married in Putnam Co., Mo. In 1865. Albert was born in 1830 in Prussia and
came to America as a cook on a cattle boat. He served in 1862 in the Union Army 45
Regiment, Mo Militia. Two children, Francis and Richard, were born in Mo. Albert & Margaret
bought a farm in Wea Twp. Eight more children were born, Caroline, Fredrick, Charles,
Louisa, Henrietta, Jacob, Albert & Katherine.
Jacob married Martha Jane Whitmore in 1920. They had 3 children, Harold and twins Ray &
Fay. Harold died at 4 years old. Fay had 4 children, Ronald Harold, Dorothy & Luther.
Ray had served 2 years in the Army in Germany 154-56. He then went to work for Jack
Cooper Transport co of Kansas City. He retired after 32 years. Ray married Betty Louise
Jenkins Harper in 1975.
Ray was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies, Your Rite and Abdallah
Shrine, Eastern Star and Louisburg Shrine Club. He participated in parades with the
Mounted patrol on his horse Paladin. His pride was in helping several children go to the
Shrines Children Hospital.
Ray & Betty like to work horses and had “pulling ponies”. George & Dan and Dick & Rowdy.
Eventually they got some Registered Shorthorn cattle and registered Suffolk Draft horses.
We raised Cattle and horses for awhile and then settled down to using 2 geldings, Bud &
Prince, to give hay rides at the Louisburg Pumpkin Patch. He gave the proceeds to the
Shrine Hospital for children. Finally, Ray, Betty and horses gave out. The family farm was
sold in 2008. Ray passed on in 2009. Betty works at the Miami County Historical Museum
(still since 1983).
Betty is a member of Eastern Star, Marais des Cygnes Chapter of the Daughters of the
American Revolution and the Historical/Genealogy Society.
Betty had 2 children Wayne Harper who has a farm near Pleasanton and Jeanette Harper
Mathena who has a farm with husband Rick near McLouth, Ks. Jeanette has 2 children
Elizabeth and Jarrod. Elizabeth has a daughter, Regan Cassidy which gives us the right to
have a 4 generation photo taken.
Betty Bendorf
Miami County Historical Museum Swan River Museum Miami County Historical & Genealogy Society |
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| Miami County Historical Museum - 12 E. Peoria, P O Box 123 - Paola, KS 66071 Phone: 913-294-4940 - all rights reserved |
