Notes for: Joseph Lamb Bodine, Jr.
Joseph Lamb Bodine received his early education in private schools, and the state Model School in Trenton. From Princeton University he received, in 1905, his degree of Bachelor of Arts, and three years later, in 1908, he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar in November, 1908, and was as a counselor in November, 1911. He began his practice of law in Trenton in 1908, in association with Judge Garret D. W. Vroom of Trenton, an outstanding figure in legal affairs. Until June 19, 1916, Mr. Bodine was engaged in a general legal practice, but at that time he became Assistant United States District Attorney, and so continued until, in June, 1919, he became United States Attorney. From June, 1920, until April 1, 1928, he served as United States District Judge in the District of New Jersey. His next step was to become a justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
In the affairs of Trenton and new Jersey, Mr. Bodine takes a leading part. His political alignment is with the Democratic Party, whose policies and principles he regularly supports. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian Church. He has served faithfully and well, too, in public office and positions of responsibility. From January, 1910, until 1919, he served as a member of the school board of Trenton, and for several terms he was its president. Active in social life, he was a member of the Trenton Country Club, as well as the "Symposium," of which he was for several years the president. He was director of the Trenton Savings Fund Society in Trenton for ten years. He belonged to the Essex Club, in Newark, and the Princeton Club, New York City. The particular Presbyterian parish of which he was a member is the First Presbyterian. Into all of these different organizations and activities Judge Bodine put his fullest measure of energy and enthusiasm, with the result that his was highly esteemed and respected among his fellowmen.
This info comes from the article on Judge Joseph Lamb in "N.J. - A History Biographical & Genealogical Records, 1932."
Here is what is on their tombstone from Lawrenceville Cementery on Route 206 in Lawrenceville, NJ:
Joseph Lamb Bodine, Son of Dr. Joseph L. and Francis Davis Bodine 1883--1950
Jurist US District Court 1920--1929 ---- NJ Supreme Court 1929 -- 1948
Gertrude Scudder Bodine October 26, 1892 - March 25, 1978, wife of Judge J. L. Bodine
From Ronny Bodine:
Joseph Bodine earned a A.B. from Princeton University in 1905 and a LL.B. from Harvard University in 1908. He served as judge of the New Jersey Federal District Court 1920-1929 and as a justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court 1929-1948. Joseph and Gertrude Bodine were buried in Lawrenceville Cemetery, Lawrenceville, New Jersey. See "Who Was Who in America," Volume 3, 1951-1960. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1966 and his obituary in the "New York Times" of 11 June 1950.
From New Jersey Death Records:
Gertrude S. Bodine of Pennsylvania died 25 March 1978 in Trenton, Mercer County.
Obituary abstract,Trenton (NJ) Evening Times of Monday, 27 March 1978.
MORRISVILLE---Mrs. Gertrude Scudder Bodine, 85, of 808 Crown St., a longtime volunteer in Trenton area civic and historic organizations, died Saturday in Mercer Medical Center. Daughter of the late Joseph Rue Scudder and Gertrude McCully Scudder, Mrs. Bodine was born n Lawrenceville and grew up in the 'Cherry Grove' mansion there, which was long a Scudder homestead. She was married in 1918 to the late Joseph L. Bodine, a Trenton lawyer, who later became a justice of the New York Supreme Court. She is survived by a son, John Bodine of Morrisville. Burial will be in Lawrenceville Cemetery.