Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
HENRY STENDER came to Lincoln
county in 1884 with scarcely a dollar to his name and filed a homestead
claim on his present handsome farm, five miles southwest of Davenport.
At that time the present site of Davenport was known as Cottonwood Springs,
and consisted of a hamlet of only a few scattering houses. Mr. Stender
experienced all the adversities and hardships of pioneer life before gaining
a start through which he has become one of the leading and most prosperous
farmers of his county. He now has five hundred and twenty acres of
land, one hundred and eighty acres of which are fenced and under cultivation,
improved by a fine residence, barn, and other out buildings, and an excellent
well and windmill from which water is conveyed through the house and barn.
He also raises stock to a considerable extent, having a herd of Durham
cattle, and horses with which to carry on the business of farming.
The birthplace of Henry
Stender is Holstein, Germany, and he was born to Yokam and Anna Stender,
July 22, 1857. He has one brother, Clouse, and one sister,
Catharine, both of Germany. He grew to manhood on a farm, attaining
a fair common school education, and sailed from Hamburg to New York in
June, 1881. From New York he removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he
worked on a farm for a brief time, then went to Winona, Minnesota, whence
he came to San Francisco in 1882. From San Francisco he went to the
vicinity of Stockton, California, which was his last home prior to his
coming to Lincoln county, Washington.
On May 14, 1896, Henry
Stender was married to Olena Jensen, a native of Denmark, and daughter
of Peter N. and Anna Jensen. Her father is now farming near Davenport.
Mrs. Stender came with
her parents to the United States during girlhood, settled in Iroquois county,
Illinois, and from there came to Davenport in 1889. Her brothers
and sisters are, Christian, Louie, James, Christina, and Mrs. Reka Turner.
She has one half-brother, Anderson. To Mr. and Mrs. Stender have
been born three children, Warren H., Roy F., and Anna M.
The church home of the
family is in the Lutheran denomination.