I recently obtained my great grandfather's death certificate. His name was Fred Bender, and every record I have seen states that he was born in Germany in 1863 (he died in Pittsburgh/Etna in 1936).

His widow filled out the death certificate and listed Fred's parents' names as John Bender and Sophie Fifer. Based on a family story that Fred's daughter wrote down ("They lived 100 miles from Berlin."), I believe that the Benders were from Prussia.

So - I have been looking for Johann Bender (who would have died sometime around 1873) who married Sophia Pfeiffer. They had at least three children: Friedrich (born 1863), Helena and Clara. Sophia had a brother (George or John) who came to America and settled in Maryland or Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Thanks!