Information from Lorman Lundsten says she married John Kenney first, who later deserted her. She divorced him and then married John Craig.
From: Jessica Carlson
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Subject: Alma Mabel Bodine 1884 eldest daughter paternity (partially solved)
I've been trying to research my Great-Grandmother, the eldest daughter of Alma Mabel Bodine (b. 19 Feb 1884). Specifically, I've been trying to identify her father and find her birth certificate. While I've still had no luck with the latter, for the former, I've narrowed it down to 2 individuals thanks to the archives on Canadiana, and also found an article about Earl Roy Bodine, Alma's older brother, that may be of interest to this site.
Since this site helped me verify that Alma Mabel Bodine's eldest daughter, Ethel Beatrice (b. 17 Jun 1899), was not the child of her later husbands, I wanted to make sure to repay the research debt I owe.
Attached Articles:
The Daily Free Press, London Ont. Sept 21st 1900- Under The Civil Docket: Jury, Bodine v Howe, Marshall Bodine is suing T. Howe for Seduction of his teen daughter.
The Daily Free Press, London Ont. Sept 25th 1900- Under Non-Jury Case, clarifies defendant as Timothy Howe, a farmer that Alma was sent to work for for 2 years prior to becoming pregnant. Also states that Alma initially named another worker on the farm, George Richardson, as the father.
The Daily Free Press, London Ont. Sept 26th 1900- First column, little past halfway, no heading. Judge ruled for defendant, jury could not reach a decision upon learning that the money would not go to Alma.
The Advertiser, London Ont. March 28th 1905- Earl Roy Bodine, son of Marshall Bodine, confessed to a murder he committed as a 17 year old runaway in Maine years before. He is described as a tramp, and this is part of an Evangelical revival going on in San Francisco.
From: Jessica Carlson
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Subject: Re: Alma Mabel Bodine 1884 eldest daughter paternity (partially solved)
I went ahead and sent my DNA to Ancestry since we hired a Genealogist and she couldn't find anything I hadn't already found. Anyways, using the DNA results Ethel's father was definitely Timothy Howe, the farmer Alma was sent to work for at 12. There are a bunch of matches to descendants of his Aunt's (he seems to have not had any children with his wife) that I cannot find any other reason to be related to, and the level of relation fits with if Timothy was Ethel's father.
Also, Ethel had 2 younger half siblings that should be entered into the record, if they are not already. Grace May born about 1915 (from Alma's first husband Edward Joseph Kenney) and John Patrick born 17 July 1923 (from Alma's second husband John Craig). John Patrick passed away on the 3rd day of Iwo Jima, he was a PFC in the 23 Marines 4 Marine Div. and is buried in Hawaii. Grace married and had a son, Lee Barnard Abell on 19th of August 1934. I've not found documents for what happened to Grace or Lee after that, well there's indications Lee got married a lot, but not much beyond that.
From Ronny Bodine:
Alma Craig was buried in White Chapel Cemetery, Oakland County, Michigan.
From Michigan Federal Census Records:
1910 (20 April) Detroit, Wayne Co.: Edward KENNEY 30 MA married1-10 yrs laundry man, Alma 27 Canada wife married1-10 yrs 1 child born/1 living, Ethel 10 MI dau, Clarence BODINE 24 Canada brother-in-law driver-launder wagon immigrated 1904, Jennie 58 Canada widow 3 children born/3 living immigrated 1893.
1920 (10 Jan) Detroit, Wayne Co.: Alma KENNEY 35 Canada divorced, Ethel 20 MI dau, Grace 5 MI dau.
1930 (4 April) Detroit, Wayne Co.: John A. CRAIG 57 IL married@47 decorator, Alma A. 48 Canada wife married@38, Grace M 15 MI dau, Johnie P. 6 MI son.