Notes for: Clarence Elbert Bodine
The information below was edited from a file sent by Samuel Joseph Bodine, Clarence's son.
The second child of Seth and Charlotte was Clarence Elbert Bodine. He was born in Jefferson County, Illinois and went to school there. He later moved with his family to Missouri. He was born in February of 1891 and was nine years of age in the 1900 Census of Jefferson County. Clarence was about fifteen when his family moved to Missouri. Like his brother, Howard, Clarence probably worked on the farm. Since Seth died in March of 1918, he was left the oldest male in the Bodine household. He went into service in World War I and served in France. While in France, he became sick and this later led to his death in 1930. He was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1919 at Camp Dodge, Iowa. He had served as a corporal in the field artillery. After he was discharged, Clarence came back to Marston, Missouri.
He came to Marston and started courting Mary Esther Latimer, the daughter of R.T. and Annie Latimer. Esther was born in Obion County, Tennessee on August 9, 1898. Her family moved to Missouri around 1803 and first located near Conran. They had built a house in Marston around 1909-10 and lived there when Clarence came courting. Esther had taught in rural schools for a year or so, first in Moccasin Hollow, west of Marston, then at Knoxall. The courtship turned into a marriage and this took place on October 18, 1919. Judge Frank Haubold, a Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony. Witnesses were Clarence's sister, Lena Bodine, and L.C. "Darby" Latimer.
Clarence and Mary Esther farmed, bought cotton, and had a restaurant in the fair city of Marston. They bought a house in the south end of town. A part of that deed is a part of this paper (?). On November 29, 1920, the first child, a son was born. He was named Robert Monroe - named after both of his granddads. Robert ruled the roost until April 12, 1922 when Kenneth Leland appeared. Both of these cottontops were joined by another on August 3, 1924 when Samuel Joseph put in his appearance. The boys were finally joined by a sister who arrived November 28, 1927. Aunt Lena picked her name - Salome Janet. She was the last of the children (and what a name to stop on!). Clarence and Esther had a year or so before he became very ill. He was diagnosed as tubercular and went to a hospital in Colorado in 1929. He came home for Christmas that year and began hemorrhaging. He was taken to Jefferson Barracks Medical Facility in St. Louis where he died in March of 1930. He was only 39 years of age. Esther was 32 years of age and was left with four fatherless children. The Great Depression was in full tilt and times were tough. Because his death was linked to his illness in France, a service-connected pension was awarded. Although it was pitifully small, it enabled Esther to supplement what she could make and so she was able to hold the family together. Esther worked in restaurants, sold insurance, yard goods, and Avon products. At one time, she was a telephone operator in Marston. She sent the children to school. All of the children graduated from Marston High School. Esther lived on in Marston until the 1970's when she had to enter a nursing home because of crippling arthritis. She passed away February 2, 1984 at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Esther was in her 86th year at her death. She and Clarence are both buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston, Missouri.
Samuel Bodine also said, "At the time of my dad's death, I was less than six; so my memories of him are scant and only cameo remembrances remain. I remember him as being a handsome man. He dressed well and looked great. He had been very active in organizing the National Guard company in Marston and was a commissioned officer in the outfit when illness forced him to resign. I can remember him in his uniform wearing his saber and I thought he must have been at least a two star general. In reality, he was a first lieutenant. That same outfit was a big part of the life of his sons, Robert and Kenneth. I can recall an old Studebaker touring car Dad drove. It had canvas side curtains with isinglass windows. I can recall going to Cape in that car. In my memory it took us a lifetime to get there. Naturally, the roads were terrible and the car probably averaged less than thirty miles per hour. That, coupled with a child's anticipation, made it an adventure - to say the least."
From Ronny Bodine:
Clarence Bodine registered for the World War I draft on 5 June 1917 in New Madrid, New Madrid County. He went into service in World War I and served in France. While in France, he became sick and this later led to his death in 1930. He was discharged from the Army on 8 Feb 1919 at Camp Dodge, Iowa. He had served as a corporal in the field artillery. After he was discharged, Clarence came back to Marston, Missouri. In 1920, Clarence and Mary lived in La Font, New Madrid County where he worked on his farm. Clarence Bodine died of tuberculosis and was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sikeston. See his Missouri death certificate, no. 1930-10145. Mary (Latimer) Bodine was the daughter of Robert Thomas and Clarinda Anna (Hickman) Latimer. Her brother, Elmer Latimer, married Clarence's sister Lena. Mary was buried with her husband. In 1930, Mary Bodine, recently widowed, was living in Marston with her children and employed as a telephone operator.
Newspaper Obituary, Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian of Thursday, 20 March 1930.
Word was received early today by W. H. Latimer, 1424 Whitener street, of the death of his brother-in-law, Clarence E. Bodine, 40 years old, of Marston, which occurred at 4:05 a.m. today atthe Veterans Hospital at Jefferson Barracks. Bodine had been ill for several months and was first admitted to the veterans' hospital at Fort Lyon, Col., last June and returned to Marston Christmas. He became ill at that time, suffering from a lung infection which was the result of a severe attack of influenza while he was in service during the World War. He was taken to Jefferson Barracks Feb. 25. Born Jan. 26, 1890, Bodine spent a greater part of his life at Marston. He was a member of the 88th Division overseas during the World War. He also was a member of the American Legion and a lieutenant in the National Guard company at Marston. Bodine is survived by his widow, formerly Miss Esther Latimer, and two brothers, Chauncey Bodine of Memphis, Tenn., and Raymond Bodine of Marston. He also leaves four sisters: Mrs. Effie Duncan of Lilbourn, Mrs. Eva Price of Memphis, Tenn., and Mrs. E. N. Latimer and Mrs. Howard Latimer of Marston. Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at Marston. Interment will bein New Hope cemetery there. [Note: This obituary made no mention of his four children.]