Notes for: Nels Adolf Bodin
From: Bruce and Mary Haarmann [bhaarmann at hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 6, 2021
Subject: research findings
In looking up my ancestor's roots in Bayfield county, I came across your excellent set of family group sheets and also the business history of Bodin Fisheries which I summarized as follows and added to FamilySearch profiles for Nels and Elmer:
Nils Adolf Bodin emigrated from Sweden in the late 1800s. Upon arrival to WI he resided in Ashland where he was a carpenter and a fisherman to make ends meet. Nils decided that being closer to Long Island where much of the fishing took place made better sense and moved into what was to become the Bodin Homestead in the Town of Bayview. Nils married Elizabeth Johansson and had 6 children. To an extent all of them followed in their father's shoes and when they were of age began to fish themselves. Elmer Bodin, one of the 4 sons, decided to move from the homestead down the shoreline closer to Washburn, to what is now Bodin's Resort. He purchased 40 acres and began fishing on his own separate from his siblings. Elmer married Hazel Bergman, a local Washburn girl, and had 2 children: Roger and Richard 'Dick' Bodin. Both sons went on to continue the fishing legacy and were the true creators of Bodin Fisheries. Dick's son Jeff Bodin 'Captain Buddy' is now at the helm of Bodin Fisheries. Much of the fishing was done off the outside of Long Island. So much so that many of the fishermen built little cabins out on the island in case they couldn't get home. This camp was called Swedeville and there are still some remnants of those fish camps out on the island. The fishermen originally used Mackinaw sail boats to come and go with their nets. Elmer wanted to expand his market so he purchased a location on Main Street in Ashland WI and created a retail fish market. Around that same time he started providing fish for Civilian Conservation Core camps around the area. There were many different fish distribution routes for Elmer reaching down toward Park Falls and east into Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He also established a market to resorts in the area shipping fish by rail. With WWII the fisheries suffered from loss of manpower to run the rigs. However around this same time the Herring industry went into full swing. There was also a great market for fish to be sent to mink and fox fur farms.
Mary H, Waukesha
262 548 9335
From Ronny Bodine:
From Ashland County Marriages: Nels Adolf Bodin, son of Johannes Bengston and Maria Olson married Elisabeth Johnson, daughter of John Magunson and Anna Lisa Johnson on 15 Oct 1887 in Ashland County.
From Wisconsin Federal Census Records:
1900 (7 June) Ashland, Ashland County: Nels BODINE Dec 1862 Sweden married 13 years laborer, Elisabeth Jan 1869 Sweden wife married 13 years 7 children born/6 living, John O. Jan 1889 WI son, Augest Aug 1891 WI son, Helma July 1893 WI dau, Mels A. July 1895 WI son, Helmer June 1897 WI son, Agnes A. Nov 1899 WI dau. Nels immigrated in 1881 and was naturalized.
1910 (April) N. A. BUDINE 46 Sweden married1-22 years fisherman, Elizabeth 41 Sweden wife married1-22 years 7 children born/6 living, John O. 21 WI son, August 19 WI, Helma Mary 17 WI dau, Nels 15 WI son, Hilman 12 WI son, Agnes A. 10 WI dau.
1920 (19 Feb) Bayview, Bayfield County: Elizabeth BODIN 51 Sweden widowed, Hilma M. 27 WI dau, Adolf N. 25 WI son farmer, Elmer 22 WI son fisherman, Agness 20 WI dau.
Burials in Mount Hope Cemetery, Ashland, Ashland County.
Nels A. Bodin 1863-1912 Elizabeth Bodin 1863-1930