November 10th, 1861 John joined the Union Army ar Benton Barracks in Missouri, he was 22 and signed up in the Curtis Norse Co. D, 5th Iowa Cavalry Regiment. John now a Captain, escorted Jefferson Davis from Atlanta to Augusta, Georgia to prison in 1865. Honorable Discharged in Nashville, TN on August 11, 1865. He had a successful mine in Washington State and found gold and silver. His mine was called "The Bonanza Queen".
Enlisted in Company D, Iowa 5th Cavalry Regiment on 13 November 1861.
Promoted to Full 8th Corporal on 22 June 1862.
Promoted to Full 3rd Corporal on 1 December 1862.
Promoted to Full 7th Corporal on 23 June 1862.
Promoted to Full 6th Corporal on 25 June 1862.
Promoted to Full 4th Sergeant on 18 April 1864.
Promoted to Full Comm Sergeant on 1 December 1864.
Promoted to Full 1st Sergeant on 1 July 1865.
Promoted to Full 1st Lieutenant on 3 August 1865.
Mustered out on 8 August 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.
[Contributor: Carl Thompson (47069129)]

Enlisted in the Fall of 1861 in an Indiana regiment; re-enlisted in the 1st Nebraska Cavalry. 1906 History of Skagit and Snohomish Counties - page 907.
{Contributor: The Seakers (50146847)}

The Seattle Star (Seattle, Washington) 17 March 1905, Friday - page 7

BENDER IS DEAD
One OF THE FOREMOST MINING MEN IN THE NORTHWEST PASSES AWAY
(Special to The Star)
EVERETT. Washington, March 17— John F. Bender, one of the most prominent mining men in the northwest, died last night in the hospital from cancer in the groin. He was 63 years of age.
He was a pioneer in the Silverton district and discoverer of the famous “Bonanza Queen” group, which he sold to an eastern syndicate for $150,000.
Word has been received here that the American Smelting & Refining company has appropriated $2,500,000 for automatic roasters in all its plants, and that one and possibly two will be placed in the Everett plant.