Notes for: Joseph Lamb Bodine, M.D.

I had his middle name as Long, but other information says it was Lamb. I have no sources for either name.

Joseph L. Bodine received his early education in his native town and later removed with his parents to Trenton, where, immediately, in 1851, he became a student at Trenton Academy. Later, he studied at Princeton College, from which he and his brother, the Rev. William B. Bodine, of Philadelphia, were graduated in 1860. They were each among the first of their class. Dr. Bodine then took up the study of medicine with his uncle, the former Governor George Franklin Fort, and also matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, which gave him the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1865. His internship he spent at the Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia. He then began practice in Trenton.

He devoted much attention to mental ills, and was often called into consultation by his colleagues on points involving such afflictions. He was long the chief of staff at St. Francis' Hospital, as well as consulting physician at the New Jersey State Prison. He was renowned as a diagnostician, was a member of state and county medical societies and of the American Social Science Association and was a prolific writer on problems having to do with insanity and care of the insane. His contributions were printed in the medical press here and abroad. Governor Ludlow appointed Dr. Bodine in Trenton to the State Sinking Fund Commission, and he succeeded in placing the fund on a solid financial basis. He was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, in which he was for many years a vestryman.

This info comes from the article on his son, Judge Joseph Lamb Bodine.

Here is a picture of his tombstone at Mercer Cemetery in Trenton, New Jersey. It was sent to me by Sheila Bodine (norumba at aol.com):

Gravestone of Joseph and Frances Bodine

From Ronny Bodine:

Joseph Bodine graduated from Princeton College in 1860, then took up the study of medicine with his uncle, former New Jersey Governor George Franklin Fort, and also attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1865 as a medical doctor. Following one year internship at the Episcopal Hospital of Philadelphia, he began the active practice of medicine in Trenton. For many years he served as chief-of-staff of St. Francis Hospital and was consulting physician to the New Jersey State Prison. In 1900, the Bodines were living at 146 West State Street in Trenton. In June 1904, Frances Bodine corresponded with Mary Elizabeth Sinnott and furnished family information. Frances (Davis) Bodine is the daughter of Dr. James M. Davis. See the biography of Dr. Joseph L. Bodine in "A History of Trenton 1679-1929," by the Trenton Historical Society, 1929, pp. 645-646.

Obituary, the Trenton Evening Times (Trenton, N.J.) of 3 Jan 1889.
Death of Dr. Bodine
There was little surprise expressed when it became known throughout the city yesterday afternoon that Dr. Joseph L Bodine had passed away. He had been sick for several weeks and it was generally understood that his recovery was regarded as impossible. Dr. Bodine had been a sufferer from heart trouble for years, and lately he was stricken with a complication of ailments, including a dropsical malady and an asthmatic affection. During his illness he was attended by Dr. Phillips, assisted by Dr. Oliphant, Dr. Bodine was one of Trenton's most prominent and successful physicians. He was 49 years of age, and his family came to this city from Burlington county. Dr. Bodine received his early education at the Trenton Academy, and was fitted for college by Rev. Samuel Clements, who was rector of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. He graduated from Princeton, and, after acting aa a tutor in Virginia for a year, he returned to Trenton and studied medicine under Governor Fort, who was his uncle. He graduated then from the University of Pennsylvania, and after a year's service as Resident Physician at the Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia, he began the practice of his profession here. A. few years ago he served the State as Sinking Fund Commissioner. A year ago last Fall he was nominated for the Legislature by the Democrats of the Second Assembly district, but was defeated by only 228 votes.

Obituary, the Trenton Evening Times (Trenton, N.J.) of 30 Dec 1909.
Mrs. Frances P. Bodine, widow of Dr Joseph L. Bodine, died last night at her home, 146 West State Street, after an illness of several weeks. Mrs. Bodine is survived by two children, Miss Elizabeth and Joseph L. Bodine, counsellor-at-law and recent candidate for the Assembly. The funeral will take place Saturday morning at 11 o'clock from the Bodine home, 146 West State Street. Interment will be made in Mercer Cemetery, under the direction of Ivlns & Taylor.