Notes for: Alfred ("Alf") Bodine
My theory is that Alf's "son" Alvin Edward Bodine was actually the son of Henrietta Cooper and some other man she had an encounter with before she married Alf. Henrietta did have two children as an unmarried woman in the 1880 Census of Aubrain County while living with her parents Daniel and Ellen Cooper. One was born about 1876 but had the name Elijah Brown. That name could have been changed, though.
From Ronny Bodine:
AFRICAN-AMERICAN.
1880 Mexico, Audrain Co., MO: Albert BODINES 30 KY barber, Rachel B. 18 MO wife, Cealia 4/12 MO dau. Race: Mulatto. [Note: Where was son Alvin, born 1876?]
From Mexico (MO) Weekly Ledger of 30 April 1885:
Last Friday evening Kelley Wells, a colored barber of this city, undertook (or thought he undertook) to commit suicide by hanging himself. Birdie Bodine, at whose house he was, cut him down before he was seriously strangled, although he was black in the face. Kelley says he was fooling with the swing and got his neck caught before he knew it and could not get out. The other barbers say Kelley was drunk and crazy. The truth of the matter is that both whickey and women cut an item in the matter which ended so unfortunately.
From Mexico (MO) Weekly Ledger of 18 June 1885:
It is said that Al Bodine has been in the barber business 49 years and can sill "down" the boys at trimming hair and shaving. He is called the "Old Hunter."
From Mexico (MO) Weekly Ledger of 1 Oct 1885:
Kelly Wells (col.) and Mrs. Al Bodine (col.) have skipped to Iowa. Iowa is a good country for such a combination. Kelly tried to commit suicide because he thought Birdie Bodine did not love him. He found she did. He then had a row with her husband, Al, and was stuck for a fine. He skipped his fine and she skipped Al. They think they are happy.
From Mexico (MO) Weekly Ledger of 20 Oct 1887:
Circuit Court. Alf. Bodine vs. Rachel Bodine, divorce granted.
From Audrain County, Missouri Marriage Records:
Alfred Bodine AND Henrietta Cooper, both of Mexico, were married 15 Dec 1887 in Mexico by Jas. W. Miller, M.G.
1900 Mexico, Audrain Co., MO: Alf BODINE April 1850 MO barber, Henrietta Nov 1860 MO wife, Alvin C. July 1878 MO son. Married 20 years. 1 child born/1 living. Race: Black.
1910 Mexico, Audrain Co., MO: Alf BODINE 60 IL barber, Henerita 51 MO wife. 2nd marriage for both. 3 children born/1 living. Married 21 [sic] years. Race: Black.
Obituary, Mexico (MO) Weekly Ledger of Thursday, 24 Aug 1916.
Alf Bodine, a well-known negro of this city, aged 78, died at his home early Tuesday morning. He came here about fifty years ago. He worked for Dr. Graham for some time, then was cook at the old Martin House. Later he became a barber and has been in that business here for forty-five years. He was well known by people of both races in Mexico.
Note: The parents of Henrietta Cooper Bodine were born in Maryland, as were the parents of Henrietta Braxton:
1920 Shoal, Clinton Co., MO: Will BRAXTON 50 MO, Henrietta 51 MO wife.
1930 Mexico, Audrain Co., MO: William T. BRAXTON 72 MO, Henrietta 70 MO wife.
From the Missouri Death Certificate of William Braxton, colored, married to Mrs. H. Braxton, died 10 May 1934 in Mexico, Audrain County and buried in Elmwood Cemetery. Mrs. H. Braxton, informant.