Notes for: Ellen Ann Bodine
This information came from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~geneal/src/DeWitt/jkelsey.htm:
35. Manning Force DeWitt b. 1836 Pennsylvania was named for Manning Force, a Methodist minister. Manning DeWitt was also a Methodist minister, m. Ellen A. Bodine daughter of Ellis M. and Margaret Shearer Bodine of Tioga County, Pennsylvania. In 1888 resided 614 Park Place, Elmira, New York. An undated newspaper notice reads: "Rev. M. F. Dewitt lying seriously ill in the Presbyterian hospital in Chicago. He has just submitted to a fourth severe surgical operation for a throat difficulty." Manning d. 1893 (ts) at a hospital in Brooklyn, New York buried Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Ellen survived him, d. Chicago.
Rev. M. F. Dewitt, of Elmira, died last Tuesday morning at the hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., his son Walter being with him at the time. He was a Methodist minister who was particularly well known through this section, and a brother, Francis H. Dewitt, resides in this village. Rev. Dewitt was popularly known as the "marrying minister," and his services were in great demand by Pennsylvania couples who skipped over the line to avoid the necessity of obtaining a license. He has been a great sufferer from a terrible affliction for years and operation after operation were performed upon him with the hopes of relieving him. He was a highly respected and Christian gentleman and his loss will be sincerely mourned. He is survived by a wife, one son and one daughter (undated obituary from Millerton Advocate newspaper in scrapbook collection).
62. daughter m. S. T. Covert, resided Washington, DC.
63. Walter DeWitt.
64. Mame B. DeWitt.
From Ronny Bodine:
The marriage of M. Force DeWitt of Rutland and Miss Ellen Bodine of Delmar was reported in the Wellsboro Weekly Democrat of 3 Aug 1859.
Obituary, Millerton Advocate, undated.
Rev. M. F. Dewitt, of Elmira, died last Tuesday morning at the hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., his son Walter being with him at the time. He was a Methodist minister who was particularly well known through this section, and a brother, Francis H. Dewitt, resides in this village. Rev. Dewitt was popularly known as the "marrying minister," and his services were in great demand by Pennsylvania couples who skipped over the line to avoid the necessity of obtaining a license. He has been a great sufferer from a terrible affliction for years and operation after operation were performed upon him with the hopes of relieving him. He was a highly respected and Christian gentleman and his loss will be sincerely mourned. He is survived by a wife, one son and one daughter.
Twenty-Sixth Annual Session of the Central New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Held October 11th to 16th, 1893. Ithaca, N. Y.
The Rev. Manning Force DeWitt, for twenty-seven years an honored member of the East Genesee and Central New York Conferences, fell asleep in Jesus in the Brooklyn Methodist Episcopal Hospital, April 25, 1893. About five weeks before he went thither to have a fifth operation performed for a cancer, which made its appearance on the lower lip eight years ago. The surgeons in Elmira told him there was just one chance that he would survive the operation, and he answered: “I have decided to take that one chance and trust in God.” He went, accompanied by his wife and other members of his family. He fearlessly endured the operation, from which, seemingly, he came off conqueror. A few days later, however, he was again summoned to the operating table, when he rallied only a few hours, and then became speechless. For five days he lay in a comatose condition, guarded with loving devotion by his son, Walter F., till at last the summons came and he peacefully passed away to his glorious reward. The Rev. M. F. DeWitt was born in Milford, Pa., Aug. 26, 1836, and being converted in early manhood he was licensed to exhort by the Rev. John Hutchins, at Jackson, Pa., in 1858. In 1859 he was licensed to preach by Presiding Elder S. W. Alden, at Wellsboro, Pa., and was admitted to full connection to the East Genesee Conference Sept. 4, 1865. He filled very efficiently the following appointments: 1865, Enfield; 1866-8, Baldwin; 1869-70, Catharine; 1871, supernumeracy; 1872, changed from East Genesee to Central New York Conference by changes of boundaries; 1873-4, Caton; 1875, Millport; 1876-8, North Hector; 1879, Jacksonville; 1800-2, superannuated. Served as supply Dushore charge, 1863-4; Wells charge, 1884-5, and Erin and Breesport in 1886. In 1880 he left the active ranks, enfeebled health compelling him to lay down the burdens and toils of the itinerary. He was pre-eminently a soul winner, and many whom he led to the Saviour call Brother DeWitt blessed. He had the faculty to draw men, first to himself and then to God. 1859 Brother DeWitt married Ellen Ann Bodine, of Wellsboro, Pa., who survives him with three children of adult age, viz: Walter F.; Clara E. (Mrs. Seward E. Covert, of Washington, D. C.) and Mary (Mrs. Milton G. Lamb, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.). The funeral took place on Thursday, April 26, and was held in Hedding Church, Elmira, N. Y., in deference to the wish of a large circle of friends. The edifice was well filled. The floral designs were beautiful. The services were in charge of the Rev. Dr. Liston H. Pearce. The following ministers took part in the services: E. M. Mills, D. D., of the First Methodist Episcopal Church; B. W. Hamilton, D. D., of the Centenary Church; C. C. Wilbor, and J. R. Boyle, of Wilkes- Barre, Pa. Both Dr. Mills and The Rev. J. A. Roberts, an intimate friend, paid glowing tributes to the departed, dwelling upon his ministerial and private life. The next day the body was taken, accompanied by the family, Dr. Mills and the Rev. J. A. Roberts, to Wellsboro, Pa., for burial. Brother DeWitt was a man of charming personality, profound in his convictions, with manly courage yet childlike simplicity defending the cause of God, which he served so well. He was loved and revered by all. His sympathizing heart was always going out after the welfare of others, self being ever out of sight. The eulogies pronounced upon him by the press of Elmira were evidence of the esteem in which he was held by all its citizens. He stooped to the lowest to lift them up to God and his Christ. Many an aching heart was soothed and comforted by his godlike sympathy. The writer, having been his bosom friend for more than thirteen years, feels free to say that he never knew another man so consistent in character and demeanor, so closely assimilated to the blessed image of the Master. In his home life he was a tender, loving husband and father, with but one aim, the highest good of his loved ones, both spiritually and temporally. Their every desire was a mandate for him. He devoted himself with untiring zeal to their happiness and comfort. He was the sunshine of his home, his genial face a benediction. His hospitality, which the writer and all his friends so often shared, was boundless. He suffered heroically, patiently and uncomplainingly, lest at any time he should give pain to the hearts of his loved ones. In December last, the last time the writer met him, when overwhelmed with pain, he walked the floor and sang: "There won't be sorrow there," “Meet me there, meet me there," "Some sweet day, by-and-by." And then, when we were about to say good-by, he quoted those favorite lines of his, written upon the tombstone of his wife's mother in Wellsboro:
"This languishing head is at rest,
Its aching and thinking are o'er;
This quiet, immovable breast
Is moved by affliction no more."
Ellen DeWitt was living 1900 in the home of her daughter Clara Covert, in Washington, D.C. Ellen reported she had borne 3 children, all still living.
Children: Clara E. (Aug 1860), Walter F. (c1861), Mary B. (May 1869)