These pictures were sent to me by Frederick Michael Bodine:
Before I got the message below, I did not know who John's wife or children were.
From: Michelle James (sewfine at alltel.net)
Sent: Mon, June 24, 2002
Subject: John Painter Bodine
I am a descendant of Mary Elizabeth Keller, sister of Rachel D. Keller (see below) wife of John Painter Bodine. I found the information below while searching for information on the Keller family. Sources are Ancestry.com Genealogy Pool individual records and a researcher of the Drinnin family (Don Leclair Bodine married Vada I. Drinnan, also below). Hope you find the information helpful.
If you should run into any information on John R. Keller, born about 1820 in Virginia I would appreciate hearing from you.
Michelle James
Descendants of John Painter Bodine
1 John Painter Bodine
.. +Rachel D. Keller b: March 19, 1849 in Virginia m: September 11, 1865 in Illinois d: March 24, 1932 in Stark County, Illinois. Parents: John R. Keller and Keziah Davis.
..... 2 Don Leclair Bodine b: March 11, 1881 in Stark County, Illinois d: April 20, 1948 in Stark County, Illinois
......... +Vada I. Drinnin b: January 30, 1895 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois m: February 13, 1913 in Illinois d: April 01, 1975 in Wyoming, Stark County, Illinois
............ 3 John Painter Bodine
............ 3 Donna Bodine
............ 3 Darlene Bodine b: September 04, 1917 in Illinois
................ +John Terrence O'Neill b: September 18, 1906 in Valley Township, Stark County, Illinois m: September 09, 1939 in Wyoming, Stark County, Illinois d: January 27, 1973 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois
................... 4 John O'Neill
................... 4 Don O'Neill
................... 4 Mark O'Neill
................... 4 Mary Jo O'Neill
................... 4 Judith O'Neill
................... 4 Peggy O'Neill
..... 2 Adaline Bodine b: July 28, 1869 in Stark County, Illinois
[Note from Dave: The info above has John and Rachel's marriage date in 1865, but the official country records say 1867. We will go with that.]
From Ronny Bodine:
In 1880-1910, John and Rachel Bodine lived in West Jersey Township, Stark County, Illinois. In 1900, John reported that in 35 years of marriage his wife had borne 2 children, both of whom were then living. In 1910, he reported both of his children were still living. Rachel (Keller) Bodine was the daughter of Jack and Keziah Keller.
History of Stark County, Illinois (1887), p. 686.
John P. Bodine, son of Joseph and Rebecca M. (Painter) Bodine, was born in New Jersey, October 26, 1841. John P. Bodine is the third child of their family of four children. His early life was spent assisting his parents on the farm. His education was limited to a district school with the exception of one year spent at Lombard University. On September 11, 1867, he married Miss Rachel D., daughter of John and Kezia (Davis) Keller, who was born in West Virginia, of which state her parents were natives, March 19, 1849. In 1856 her people settled in Peoria county, Ill., and purchased a farm in Millbrook township. In 1857 a hurricane completely destroyed their house, the family escaping injury. Mr. Keller was born October 16, 1817, Mrs. Keller, January 12, 1822. Mrs. Rachel Bodine is the third child of their family of six children. She remained with her parents until her marriage. After their marriage they moved to Victoria, Knox county, Ill., where Mr. Bodine engaged in milling, having an interest in a steam mill. Three years later he traded this interest for a farm in West Jersey township, and here he remained for eight years, when he sold that place and purchased land on section 29, where he now resides. Their union has been blessed by two children: Addie H., born July 28, 1868, and Don L. born March 11, 1881. Politically, Mr. Bodine is a Greenbacker, and has been active in political matters, and has filled several of the township offices creditably. He owns 173 acres of choice lands in this township, with a home considered one of the finest in the county.
Obituary, The Stark County News (Toulon, IL) of 30 June 1915.
At his home in West Jersey township, June 22, 1915, John P. Bodine passed into the other world at the ripe age of 73 years, 7 months, and 26 days. He was born in the state of New Jersey, Warren county, October 26, 1841. In 1846 his parents came to Illinois and settled one mile east of West Jersey. Later in the year 1856 they moved to Rochester, Ill., and engaged in the carriage building business. John P. was the third child of Joseph and Rebecca Bodine. His early life was spent on the farm. After completing his common school education he completed his schooling at Lombard University at Galesburg, Ill. September 11, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel D. Keller. After their marriage they moved to Victoria and Mr. Bodine engaged in running the flour mill for three years, afterwards moving back to West Jersey township and taking up farming again. Mr. and Mrs. Bodine have two children, Addie H. and Don L. Mr. Bodine in his younger days enjoyed singing in the Presbyterian choir of West Jersey. At the time of his death he was a member of the Odd Fellows and the M. W. A. at West Jersey. He leaves to mourn his death his wife and two children, Addie H. Stonier, of Toulon, and Don L. Bodine, of West Jersey, and three grandchildren, Duane and Vesper Stonier, and John P. Bodine, Jr. Also one brother, David J. Bodine of Elmwood, who is the last of the family from Joseph and Rebecca Bodine. A large host of friends will miss him as he was a very active man in all public interests of the countryside. Funeral services were held in West Jersey Thursday afternoon, Rev. E. L. Fahnestock, of Trivoli, having charge. The I. O. O. F. had charge of the services at the grave.