Logansport Woman's Legacy Lives On in Kansas Orphan Train Statue Dedication

Jeanette Catherine Minneman Bender's life honored with statue at National Orphan Train Complex

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:19am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a vintage Orphan Train locomotive in bright neon hues, capturing the historic significance and enduring legacy of this pivotal chapter in American history.A vibrant pop art tribute to the Orphan Train movement that transported thousands of children to new lives and opportunities across the United States.Concordia Today

More than a century after arriving in Indiana as part of the historic Orphan Train movement, the life of Jeanette Catherine Minneman Bender is being honored with a statue at the National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia, Kansas. Bender was among the 250,000 children transported from eastern cities to rural communities between 1853 and 1929 in search of loving homes and new opportunities.

Why it matters

The Orphan Train movement was a pivotal part of American history, relocating homeless and orphaned children from overcrowded cities to rural areas in hopes of providing them with better lives. Honoring the legacy of individuals like Jeanette Catherine Minneman Bender helps preserve the memory and impact of this important initiative.

The details

Bender was born Jeanette Catherine Veronica Knowles in 1899 in New York City. After her mother's death in 1903 and her father's in 1908, she was placed in the St. Joseph Orphan Asylum and became eligible to be sent on an Orphan Train in 1909. She was first placed with a family in Huntington, Indiana before being adopted by Christopher and Catherine Minneman of Logansport, where she would spend the rest of her life. Bender married George 'Bus' Bender in 1925 and had six children, two of whom were present at the statue dedication ceremony in Concordia.

  • Bender was born on October 28, 1899.
  • Her mother passed away in 1903.
  • Her father passed away in 1908.
  • Bender was placed on an Orphan Train in 1909.
  • The statue honoring Bender was unveiled on April 7, 2026.

The players

Jeanette Catherine Minneman Bender

A woman who was part of the historic Orphan Train movement, arriving in Indiana as a child and later making Logansport her lifelong home.

Madonna Benson

Bender's daughter, who attended the statue dedication ceremony in Concordia, Kansas.

Jim Bender

Bender's son, who attended the statue dedication ceremony in Concordia, Kansas.

Ginny Sharpe

Bender's granddaughter, who spent years researching her grandmother's life and story.

National Orphan Train Complex

A non-profit organization dedicated to collecting and preserving knowledge about orphan trains and the children who rode them.

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What they’re saying

“My mother would just be overwhelmed knowing there's a statue in her honor. She was such a hard worker throughout her life, so having her family at the ceremony was just a wonderful thing.”

— Madonna Benson, Bender's daughter

“Since I'm the eldest grandchild, I knew her better and longer than any of my cousins had a chance to, so it only makes sense for me to write her story and share it with the family. My family is so very important to me. She was my only grandma, and I've valued her love and guidance for as long as I can remember.”

— Ginny Sharpe, Bender's granddaughter

What’s next

The National Orphan Train Complex plans to continue expanding its collection of statues honoring the children who were part of the Orphan Train movement, preserving their stories for future generations.

The takeaway

Jeanette Catherine Minneman Bender's story is a powerful example of the lasting impact the Orphan Train movement had on the lives of thousands of children. Her legacy, now immortalized in a statue, serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of those who overcame adversity to build new lives and communities.