Here is a picture of William Bodine. I'm not sure when it was taken and I can't remember who sent it to me. It may have been Donna Salivar Boomer. Anyway, my thanks to whoever did send it to me.
Many of my dates and other information came from a family groupsheet written up by Catherine E. Horman, 1043 W. Hazelhurst, Ferndale, Michigan. This groupsheet was one of many found on LDS microfilm #982266 in the part called "Best and Bodine Families." This was info submitted by Harry Bodine of Wyoming. Mrs. Horman said that most of the dates came from the William Bodine family Bible. William gave this Bible to his grandson Stanley Norton of Rockton, Illinois. It was in the possession of Donald Norton of Durand, Illinois. Some of the death records were from Stanley Norton of Rockton, Illinois given to her in June of 1960. Donald Norton must be a descendant of Laura Bodine and George Norton.
I believe his name was given as "Bordine" in the marriage record.
My appreciation to Donna Salivar Boomer for compiling much of the following information.
William Bodine lived in Canada until the age of 18 when he removed to Michigan (ca. 1836). He lived there for 15 months (ca. 1837). The 1840 Michigan shows the following Bodines:
Abraham; Gene; 023; Genesee
William, Gene; 203; Genesee
John; Lena; 118; Franklin
William then removed to Joliet, IL. In January, 1840, he removed to Roscoe, Winnebago County, IL. During the summer of 1840, he removed to Harrison Township, Winnebago County, Illinois where according to the 1871 and 1886 Winnebago County Atlas he owned land in sections 7 and 18 of township 28 N (range 11 E of 4th principle meridian). In 1877, it was reported that he owned 160 acres. Here he toiled in general farming and stock raising.
In 1843, William Bodine married Harriet Sophronia Babcock, a native of New York. she died August 1846, leaving two children: Harriet Leonora (born 1 Sept. 1844, married Alexander Tunks of Clover, Portage County, WI) and George W.F. (who served in the Civil War and was a member of the 55th Illinois Infantry; enlisted 5 January 1861 and died 14 Feb. 1864 at the age of 18 and is buried in Nashville, TN.)
On 31 May 1850, William Bodine of Harrison Township married Frances Elizabeth Albright of Howard Township (both of age). Rev. Willis T. Bunton performed the wedding ceremony. Frances Elizabeth Albright was born in Ohio but was reared in Michigan and Illinois. Per the 1905 Past & Present of Winnebago County, they had 11 children.
William was a Baptist preacher in Durand, Winnebego County, Illinois.
According to 1889 Free Baptist Cyclopaedia Historical & Biographical, at the age of 14, William Bodine turned to God. In 1848, he received his license, and three years later was ordained. However, the 1877 History of Winnebago County, Illinois Past & Present and Changing Ways: A History of People of Durand School District states that in 1852, William Bodine was ordained a minister of the Free Will Baptist Church. He was one of the early preachers of the Free Will Baptist Church, which held services in Bodine School (which was later called the Sweet) in Section 18 of Harrison Township, NE corner of Wheeler and Baker Roads. He was also one of the early trustees of that church. In the 1877 History of Winnebago County, Illinois Past & Present it is stated that he preached chiefly to the Otter Creek congregation in Leona. Health failed and he gave up preaching.
In 1883-84, 1889-90, 1892, 1894-5, 1896-7, and 1905 Rockford & Winnebago County Directory, William Bodine is listed as living in Harrison and/or P.O. Box, Durand. The 1883-4 directory lists a Frank Bodine, although the relationship between them, if any, has not been established at this time.
William Bodine was politically a stalwart prohibitionist, and supported the abolition party before the war. He was the first boy who dared to step forward and sign the cold water pledge in the town of Southwold, Canada in the early days of temperance agitation. (what is the cold water pledge?) He always exerted his influence, both by precept and example, against the liquor traffic.
Family tradition says that William was a very strict man and because of that his sons moved away.
Extracted from the "Durand Clipper" Newspaper are the following:
10 May 1899: William Bodine is able to be out again.
11 June 1900: Mr. & Mrs. Bodine celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the first day of June. The event was planned by their children and kept a secret, but proved a delightful surprise to the bride and groom of the day, as well as all present for the happy occasion.
William Bodine died on 19 August 1910; his wife Frances Elizabeth died in 1909. The death certificate for "Francis" Elizabeth Bodine states the date of death was 14 October 1909 in Harrison, age of death was 78 years, 4 months and 29 days. Using this information, Frances Elizabeth's date of birth would have been 15 June 1831. She was buried 17 October 1909 in Webster Cemetery (?). Her place of birth was Ohio and she lived in Illinois 60 years. The immediate cause of death was "dysentery", contributed by "old age". Duration of the illness was 9 days. They are both buried in Oakland Cemetery, Durand Township, Winnebago County, Illinois. Also buried in the family plot is George Bodine, Orin J. Bodine, Jacob Bodine, Doris C. Bodine, Charles Sumner Bodine, Arthusa Bodine, and Isaac Bodine.
The following biography about William Bodine was found at the RootsWeb Illinois biography site.
Past and Present of the City of Rockford & Winnebago County, IL, C. A. Church. Chicago: Clarke, 1905, pp 281-282.
William BODINE, following general farming on section 18, Harrison Township [Winnebago County, IL], is a pioneer settler, the length of whose residence in Winnebago County is surpassed by few of its citizens at the present day, for he arrived here in Jan 1840. He was born in the township of Southwold, in [p 282] the district of London, now in the province of Ontario, Canada, 08 Mar 1820, and is a son of Abram and Zelah (TAYLOR) BODINE, the former of English and the latter of French and German parentage. The father was born in NJ, and his wife was a native of PA. In 1810 they removed to Canada, where he engaged in farming, and where they made their home until called to their final rest, Mr. BODINE departing this life in Jun 1846, when about 65 years of age, while his wife died in Apr 1837, when about 50 years of age. They had a large family, and two of the sisters came to IL; a son of one of them, Frank PELLEY by name, is now residing in Rockford Township.
William BODINE was reared in Canada, and there made his home until 18 years of age, when he went to MI, where he spent 15 months. He then removed to Joliet [Will County], IL, and in Jan 1840 arrived in Winnebago County. A year or so afteward he settled upon the farm which is now his home, purchasing a claim of S. S. RICHARDS. After spending the first summer at Roscoe [Winnebago County, IL], Mr. BODINE took up his abode on this farm, and is now the oldest resident of Harrison Township. He owns 89 acres in the home place, besides 60 acres on section 7, Harrison Township, and he has long carried on general farming and stock raising, bring his land up to its present high state of cultivation and making all of the improvements upon the place. It came into his possession just as it had left the hand of nature, and the soil, naturally rich and productive, under the cultivation of Mr. BODINE has brought forth rich harvests which have annually returned him a good income.
In Harrison Township, Winnebago County, Mr. BODINE was first married to Miss Harriet Sophronia BABCOCK, a native of NY, who died here in Aug 1846, leaving two children: (1) Harriet Lenora, born 01 Sep 1844, is the wife of Alexander TUNKS, of Plover, Portage County, WI, and she is now a grandmother; and (2) George W., who served in the Civil War, entering the army as a recruit of the 55th IL Infantry, died before joining his regiment, being then about 18 years of age.
For his second wife Mr. BODINE chose Frances E. ALLBRIGHT, of Winnebago County [IL], who was born in OH, but was reared in MI and IL. She is now living at more than 74 years of age. There were eleven children by this marriage: (1) Orin J., (2) Jacob, and (3) Doris C., who all three died in infancy; (4) Zelah, the wife of Daniel DOBSON, a farmer of Harrison Township; (5) Jeremiah, a farmer, living in AR; (6) Esther L., the wife of John M. HURD, who resides in Harrison Township; (7) Charles Sumner, who died when 21 years of age; (8) Laura Emeline, the wife of George M. NORTON, a farmer and carpenter, residing near her father's farm; (9) Arthusa, who is living at home; (10) Anna Loiza, the wife of Frank W. SELDEN, living on the home farm with her father; and (11) Isaac, who died when about 17 years of age.
Politically Mr. BODINE is a stalwart Prohibitionist, and supported the Abolitionist party before the war. He was the first boy who dared to step forward and sign the cold water pledge in the town where he was born in the early days of temperance agitation, and he has always exerted his influence, both by precept and example, against the liquor traffic. He has served in some of the local offices of the township, has been chairman of the board of trustees of the Freewill Baptist church, and is an earnest Christian gentleman and highly respected citizen. Honorable principles and upright motives have actuated his life, and he receives the veneration and esteem which should ever be accorded to those who have advanced far on life's journey. Through 65 years he has lived in this county, and we of the 20th century can scarcely realize the hardships, dangers and privations borne by the early pioneers who bravely met the stuggles and difficulties incident to settlement in a frontier region and planted the seeds of civilization which have brought forth the comfort and prosperity of the present time.
Submitted by Cathy Kubly.
From Ronny Bodine:
The History of Winnebago County, its Past and Present, Chicago, H. F. Kett & Co., 1877.
BODINE, WILLIAM, Farmer; Sec. 18, P.O. Durand; born in Canada in 1820; came to this Co. in 1840; owns 160 acres land; married Harriet S. Babcock in 1843; she was born in N.Y. in 1827; had two children: Harriet L. and George W. F.; the latter was a member of the 55th I. V. I.; died in hospital, and is buried at Nashville, Tenn.; Mrs. B. died in 1846; married second time to Francis E. Albright, of O., born in 1831; have eight children living: Martha Z., Jethro J., Charles S., Esther L., Isaac J., Laura E., Arthusa and Anna Louisa; lost three: Joseph C., Dorcus C. and Jacob; Mr. B. was ordained a minister in 1852 (Free Will Baptist); preached chiefly to the Otter Creek congregation in Leona; his health failed him and he gave up preaching.
1900 Harrison Twp., Winnebago Co., Ill.: William BODINE March 1820 Canada retired, Frances E. May 1831 OH wife married 49 years, bore 11 children, 6 still living.
1910 Harrison Twp., Winnebago Co., Ill.: John M. HURD 51 IL farmer, Latetia 48 IL wife, Apha 12 IL son, William BODINE 90 Canada father-in-law widowed, Thusa 38 IL sister-in-law single. John and Latetia were married 29 years, Latetia bore 4 children, all still living.
Burials in Oakland Cemetery, Durand, Winnebago County, Illinois.
(For grave marker photo see Find A Grave Memorial No. 22334208)
BODINE William 1820-1910 Elizabeth 1831-1909