John A. and Ida (Burkerd) Bence, 10 North 52 West
In 1870 Moultrie County, Illinois, Francis M. "Bents" is 36, with Maria 30, Frances S. 14, Samule 11, JAMES 8, all born in Indiana, and Francis M. newborn.
John was in Coles County, Illinois in 1880, 17, farming with widowed father Marion Bence 48.
Florence is 22, John 17, William 9, and Charles K. 7.
Ida Burkerd was in DeWitt County, Illinois in 1880, 12, with Nicholas 42 and Malissa 34. Hannah is 9, Eva 6.
In 1882 John was an active member and trustee of the Wood River, Nebraska Presbyterian Church.
In 1885 Wood River, Hall County, Nebraska, Ida M. "Brakerd" is 18, with "Mich" 48 and ""Malus" 39. Hanna M. is 14, Evelina 8.
Nickolas Burkerd 1837-1902 is buried in Wood River, with Melissa 1846-1947.
Hannah and Eva both married Brocklehurst men, and moved back to Ashtabula COunty, Ohio.
BENCE, John A.; 24; married Ida M. BURKIN; 20, in Hall County, Nebraska in December 1887.
John claimed 160 acres in sections 25, 26, and 35, 10N 52W in 1891.
In 1900 Hall County, Nebraska, John A. Bence is farming, born March 1863 in Indiana, married twelve years to Ida April 1867 Illinois. Ruth was born Feb 1897 in Nebraska.
In 1910 Monterey County, California, John is farming, 41, with Ida 43, Ruth 13, and Horace W. 6 born in Nebraska.
In 1920 Monterey County, John is farming, 56, Ida M. 53, and Horaace W. 15.
John died June 2, 1941 in Monterey County, California # 24066861, mother Watson. With him is Ida May Bence 1867-1944 # 24066869.
Her father was Buchard, mother Hall (her mother Melissa Colwell Burkerd married Samuel Hall after Nicholas died.)
RUTH
In 1920 Ruth is in Oakland, California, 22, married to Grant E. Cunningham, 24.
In 1930 Monterey County, G. E. Cunningham is 34, Ruth 32, Robert D. 11, Russell E. 9, and newborn Richard B.
Grant E. Cunningham, born Nov 26, 1895 in California, died Feb 5, 1979 in Contra Costa County.
Ruth Cunningham, born Feb 22, 1897, died in Nevada County, California Nov 5, 1994.
Robert D. Cunningham 1918-1937 is buried in Monterey County # 124171471.
Sgt. Russell Cunningham "Born: 11 March 1921 – Alameda County, California Parents: Grant E. Cunningham & Ruth Bence-Cunningham
Siblings: 2 brothers
Home: 325 Hawthorne Street – Alisal, California
Occupation: delivered flowers for a florist
Education:
– Salinas High School
– Salinas Junior College
Married: Betty Loraine Scoville – got married before going overseas "
Russell D. Cunningham, serving in the 194th Tank Battalion, fought on Bataan, was held at the Camp O'Donnell POW camp, dying there. The cenotaph in Manila Cemetery has him dying April 25, 1942 # 55923409.
HORACE
In 1930 Monterey County, Horace is an auto mechanic, 27, with Ethel I. 22 and Daniel J. 2.
Horace Bence is in King City, Monterey County in 1940, a well borer. Ethel M. is 35, born in California, and son Daniel 12 in California.
Horace Willis Bence, born Sept 20, 1903, died Feb 22, 1993 in San Luis Obispo County>
Ethel Melendy Kirst, mother Baugess, father Melendy, born July 31, 1907, died in Amador County January 19, 1983.
Daniel John Bence, born Nov 6, 1927, died January 21, 1991.
Ida's sister Annie M. Buchert was in Macon County, Illinois in 1880, age 13, with Frank 37 born in Germany, Louisa 43 in Pennsylvanina, Annie M. 13, Maggie A. 9, Freddie C. 8, Louie 6, Ella M. 4, Edna 2 all born in Illinois, and Louisa's sister Ellen Erisman 27 born in Pennsylvania.
Etta May Benge was born in Appanoose County, Iowa to Francis Marion Benge (John's brother) and Alice Elizabeth Hoppes / Hopkins, and at age 18 married William Henry Hoty in Moravia, Iowa on March 14, 1906.