Notes for: Florence Amelia Bodine
From: Denise Oliver-Velez [DOlivervelez at hvc.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004
Subject: Florence Amelia Bodine
I have Florence daughter of VB and Dorcas married to Fred Sterns - census also spells it Stearns. His parents are listed as born NY. Have only found them with one daughter, Anna.
STEARNS, FLORENCE B (1900 U.S. Census)
INDIANA , RUSH, 2-WD RUSHVILLE
Age: 39, Female, Race: WHITE, Born: IN
Series: T623 Roll: 400 Page: 147
Fred is not at home - Florence is living with her parents.
STEARNS, FRED B (1910 U.S. Census)
INDIANA , RUSH, 2-WD RUSHVILLE
Age: 51, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: WI
Series: T624 Roll: 377 Page: 161
Next door to VB Bodine
daughter Anna is 25 - unmarried.
He is listed as a preacher and minister in both 1910 and 1920
Name: Fred B Sterns
Age: 61 years
Estimated birth year: 1858
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Race: White
Home in 1920: Union, Union, Indiana
Roll: T625_460
Page: 2A
ED: 135
Image: 1156
From Ronny Bodine:
In June 1900, Florence B. Stearns lived with her parents in Rushville, Indiana. She had been married 18 years and had borne 1 child, her daughter Anna, then living with her. Her husband was not evident. In April 1910, Fred and Florence Stearns lived in Rushville, next door to Florence's father and sister. Fred Stearns was noted to be a preacher. Fred and Florence Stearns were buried in East Hill Cemetery, Rushville.
Obituary, Rushville Republican (Rushville, Ind.) of 13 March 1931.
Florence A. Stearns, the youngest child of Virgil B. and Dorcas Pool Bodine, was born in Rushville, Indiana, March 4, 1861. Was graduated from the Rushville High School, of which her father, V. B. Bodine, was one of the founders. Was united in marriage to Rev. F. B. Stearns, February 21, 1882, to which union one child, Anna I. Stearns, was born. Mrs. Stearns was musically inclined, and in her younger years, studied under the best of instructors. Mrs Stearns was associated with Mr. Stearns in the following pastorates: Hartford, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; The Old Providence Presbyterian Church in southeastern Indiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; Blue Ball, Ohio; Mitchell, Indiana; College Corner, Ohio; Alexis, Illinois; and Ostrander, Ohio. Mrs. Stearns was always a faithful coworker and true help-meet. She was especially helpful in her work with the young people, and the boys and girls, and in the missionary work of the church. Mrs. Stearns dearly loved to see the interests of the Kingdom advanced, and souls brought to Christ. Mrs. Stearns' father had been a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church in the churches of Cincinnati and and Rushville more than sixty years, at time of his death. Mrs. Stearns was a faithful wife, a most devoted mother, and a true friend. Mrs Stearns has crossed the bar, her spirit has drifted out to meet the God who gave it, and all is well. Mrs. Florence A. Stearns, wife of Rev. F. B. Stearns, both of whom are well known in this city, was taken ill with pleurisy on February 28, pneumonia developing two days later. She grew rapidly worse and the end came at her home in Ostrander, Ohio, about six o'clock Sabbath morning, March 8th. Funeral services for her were held at the home, Tuesday morning, March 10th, at ten o'clock,
Conducted by Rev. H. G. Rice, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Condit. Ohio, and Stated Clerk of the Synod of Ohio. He was assisted by Rev. E. N. Long, pastor of the Ostrander Baptist Church. [The remaining portion dealt with musical selections and all those attending and is not included here.]
Children: Anna (b. Oct 1884, d. 1950).