Joseph Charles Bentley was born on August 31, 1859
(1)Married on June 30, 1886 to Margaret Ivins b. March 31, 1868. In 1892 Bentley moved his wife Margaret and three children to Colonia Juárez, Mexico. They had nine children.
Orson Pratt Brown's business partner c. 1893, they sold and bought cattle.
(2)Married his wife's cousin Gladys Woodmansee on , 1894. They had five children.
1897 became a naturalized Mexican citizen.
(3)Married the daughter of E. L. Taylor on September 23, 1901 to Mary Maud Taylor(16). They had eight children.
Bentley was the Bishop of Colonia Juarez Ward from 1896 to 1915.
From Manrique Gonzalez: "In Colonia Juarez, Bishop Joseph C. Bentley invited Andres to room and board at his home. The young boy came to respect and love this man and looked upon him as a father. He was supremely happy living in the home of Aunt Maggie Bentley and later in Aunt Maud's home. At first he milked cows for his room and board. Bishop Bentley arranged for him to work with Marius Mickelson, who was the stone cutter for the new academy building. This occupation enabled Andres to pay for books and schooling. In addition, he learned much about this artful craft. He also learned about the religion of the Mormons. Marius Mickelson bore testimony to the value of paying a tithe of all earnings and Bishop Bentley affirmed that there was indeed a great blessing in observing this law of the Church. Nevertheless, he was under no obligation to pay tithing. Andres decided that he wanted to pay this tithing and did so for almost a year before he was baptized, on February 3, 1905. His brother, Manrique, baptized him and on the following day, which was his eighteenth birthday, he was confirmed a church member by Apostle Mathias F. Cowley.... After this (1916), Andres was set apart as a member of the Juarez Stake High Council, thus becoming the first of his people to serve as a High Councilman. At that time he was also ordained to the office of High Priest.
On April 10, 1916 Bentley was called at the time of General Conference by Church President Joseph F. Smith to be the Juarez Stake President from 1916 to 1929, Bentley had been acting in that capacity since 1915.
Bentley was sometimes mistaken in appearance for Francisco Madero.
"Orson Pratt Brown was among the prominent leaders in the colonies that paid tribute to his integrity and faithfulness and his unfailing and great leadership to the people of the colonies" at Bentley's funeral. ("Stalwarts South of the Border" Hatch/Hardy Page 31- 37).
