Notes for: Mercer B. Bodine
His name may be "Myrton" in the 1895 Census of Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Mercer owned the lumber company in Pittstown, New Jersey.
From Ronny Bodine:
In 1900, Mercer Bodine lived with his brother Amplius in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, working as a day laborer. On 12 Sept 1918, he registered for the World War I draft in Flemington, Hunterdon County. In 1910-1930, he lived in Alexandria Township, Hunterdon County working as a lumber dealer in 1910, mill manager in 1920 and a miner in 1930. In 1910, he reported that in 6 years of marriage, his wife had borne one child, then living with them. In 1920, his father-in-law, Joseph McIlroy lived with his family.
The Old Bodine Lumber Company was first established in the 1770's as The Century Flour Mill. It was established by N.J. Deputy Quaker Master Moore Furman, for army purposes. During the Revolutionary War George Washington kept his ammunition in the old mill. Mercer Bodine bought the mill in the early 1900's and started a business called The Bodine Lumber Company. They sold feed, lumber, and later hardware. Mercer's daughter, Marjorie, helped him in the family business with book work, when she was about 10 years old. Clifford Eichlin worked at the mill as a young man, and later married Marjorie. After Mercer's death they ran the mill. Then in the 1950's, Robert Bodine Eichlin helped to run the family mill, until the building was sold in 1982.
Obituary, Plainfield (NJ) Courier-News of 2 March 1938.
Pittstown---Funeral services for Mercer Bodine, 64, who died at Melbourne, Fla., Sunday will be held at the Quakertown Methodist Episcopal Church Monday at 2 p.m. The Rev. R. Wesley Smith, pastor of the church, will officiate. Mr. Bodine had been in the feed and lumber business in Pittstown for many years and had retired from active work at his mill and yard several weeks ago. Although Mr. Bodine's health was not the best, death was unexpected. Mr. Bodine was a member of the Methodist Church and was a member of the Official Board. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Pittstown Vigilant Society. Services were held from his home in Florida yesterday. Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery. Surviving are his widow, one daughter, Mrs. W. Clifford Eichlin, and two grandsons, Richard and Robert Eichlin all of Pittstown, and three brothers, Joseph, George and A. B. C. Bodine of Flemington. He was an uncle to Samuel Bodine, Republican Freeholder.
1940 Franklin Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ: W. Clifford EICHLIN 33 NJ, Marjorie 33 NJ wife, Richard 8 NJ son, Robert 6 NJ son, Olive BODINE 62 NJ mother-in-law widow.
From Social Security Applications and Claims:
Olive M. Bodine, born 23 Aug 1878, died 23 Feb 1955.
Obituary, The Easton (Penn.) Express of 23 Feb 1955.
Mrs. Olive M. Bodine, 76, widow of Mercer Bodine, died this morning at her home after suffering a heart attack. She was a lifelong resident of Pittstown. Mrs. Bodine was a daughter of the late Joseph and Adeline McIlroy, of Pittstown. She was a member of Quakertown Methodist Church. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. W. Clifford Eichlin, with whom she resided; a brother, John McIlroy, of Pittstown, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Holcombe Funeral Home, Flemington.
Burials in Locust Grove Cemetery, Quakertown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
(For grave marker photos see Find A Grave Memorial No. 63082522)
Mercer Bodine 1874---1938 Olive McIlroy wife of Mercer Bodine 1878---1955