HENRY BENCE, who is engaged in farming in Green township, near the town of Dixonville, was born in Rayne township, Indiana county, August 21, 1860, a son of George and Fannie (Stahl) Bence.
    The father of Mr. Bence was an early settler in Indiana county, and spent the greater part of his life on a farm in Rayne township.
    He died in the house now occupied by hie son Henry, in 1894, His wife, who died some time previous to his demise, was a native of Center county, Pa., and they were the parents of ten children: Lucinda, the wife of John Rowe, a resident of Rayne township; Katherine, who married Leander Baylor; Mary, widow of Franklin Long, living in Rayne township; Hannah, a resident of Greenville, Pa.; Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Livingston, of Indiana, Pa.; Ellen, who married Foster Myers, of Rayne township; Dillie, the wife of Simon Henry, of Cherryhill township; Christie Ann, a resident of Bradford, Pa.; Henry; and one who died in infancy.
    Henry Bence attended the district schools of Cherryhill and Rayne townships, and was reared to the occupation of farmer, to which he has devoted himself all his life. In 1899 he moved to the old farm near Dixonville, in Green township, and he now has a well-developed property with modern improvements.
    On Aug.23, 1880, Mr. Bence was married to Emma Cribbs, who was born in Blacklick township, Indiana county, Aug. 10, 1860, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Clawson) Cribbs, the former of whom died in April, 1903, and the latter Jan. 16,1895. Mr. Cribbs was a blacksmith by trade, and in addition to following that occupation was also engaged in farming in Blacklick township. He and his wife had a family of nine children: Samuel, who resides at Vandergrift, Pa.; John, living at Reynoldsville, this State; David, living in Pennsylvania; William, Nancy A., Sarah Jane and George, who are all deceased; Milton, who lives in Houston, Texas; and Emma, who married Mr. Bence.
    Mr. and Mrs. Bence have had fourteen children, namely: Emory, who lives at Apollo, Armstrong county; Harry and Charles, living in Rayne township, Indiana County; Cora, the wife of Park Thomas, of Marion Center; Orrin, living at Vandergrift; Eva, the wife of J. Long, of Danville; Emma, Iva, Mary and Clara, who live at home; and Claire, Homer, Clarence and Flora, deceased.