Bodine, Freeman E. 1822-1904

BODINE, SIMPSON, SHIRLEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/3/2011 at 20:21:27

The Grinnell Herald; June 24, 1904

FREEMAN E. BODINE

Freeman E. Bodine was born near Ovid, Seneca county, New York, on the 8th of October, 1822. His ancestry belonged to the persecuted French Huguenots who had been expelled from France and had settled in Germany where the ancestry received a strain of sturdy German blood. The boyhood of Mr. Bodine was spent on his father's farm in New York and his education was that obtained by attending the rural schools. Like many another young man he contracted the gold fever and went to California in 1850 by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He had varying success in digging gold but was compelled on account of his health to abandon his search for wealth and engage in farming for his health in San Jose valley.

In 1856 he returned from California by way of Nicaragua and after spending a short time with his parents started for the west, coming first to Aurora, Illinois, where he remained a year. In 1857 came to Malcom township where he purchased the farm which has been his home for forty-six years. He has been a most successful farmer as his two hundred and forty acre farm, well improved and stocked gives abundant evidence.

Mr. Bodine was married in 1858 to Miss Elmira Simpson who died two years later leaving two children. In 1862 Mr. Bodine was again married to Miss Margaret Shirley and this union was blessed with two children. The mother passed away in 1878.

Mr. Bodine lived a long life of usefulness and died Friday at his home in Malcom township at the age of 82 years and 8 months. He is survived by his sons Frank and George of Wyoming and Harry who has lived at home with his father.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday..(the rest is missing.)