Bodley, Wm. F. "Billie" 1838-1894

BODLEY, PHELPS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/7/2006 at 19:15:24

The Newton (IA) Journal, Wednesday, June 20, 1894

DEATH OF BILLIE BODLEY - On last Friday, the sad news came from Joseph Bodley, of Prospect Park, California, telling of the accidental death of his brother, Wm. F. Bodley, which occurred near Santa Monica, California, on Thursday evening about 9 o'clock, June 7th. He was going from Los Angeles to Santa Monica by team, and while on the road near Santa Monica, the horses became unmanageable and ran away, throwing him out and breaking his neck.

Word was immediately sent to his brother Joe, who reached the place of accident the next morning and took the remains to Santa Monica, where he was buried on Saturday, June 9th. He being a soldier and a member of the G. A. R., they and the Relief Corps and Circle kindly assisted in the last sad rites. Many beautiful flowers were furnished by the ladies of the Relief Corps and Circle.

Wm. F. Bodley was born in Dunkirk, Hardin Co., Ohio, Dec. 15, 1838; came to Iowa with his parents in 1857, and remained on the home farm until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the first company that left Newton, went in the 5th Iowa Volunteers, known as the "Jasper Greys," under Captain S. H. Chapman. He was a brave soldier and was in many a hard fought battle. He was in the battle of Iuka when his brother John was killed.

After the war he returned home and in 1871 was married to Ladaska Phelps. Her death occurred in Feb., 1888. Earl P., their only child, survives them. His loss will also be mourned by his two brothers, five sisters and many friends. It will be remembered that he was in business in Newton many years.