Long Distance Courting, 1912

Publisher F. M. Brown wrote in the January 11, 1912 issue of The Sutton Register:

Gus Bender left Monday morning for Scotland, S.D. he will make a trip to the Gulf coast before returning. It is reported that tickets for two will be necessary when Gus starts south. Maybe it’s a long chance, but here’s our congratulations.

Gus Bender, the son in Bender & Son implement dealership was 27 at the time. His bride in 1912 was Clara Henrietta Landmann, born 15 September, 1887 in Scotland, South Dakota.

Gus was the middle of three generations who operated the John Deere dealership in Sutton for over 125 years. The original business was started by Jacob Bender; the three sons of Gus were the third generation, Paul, Wally & Fritz.