John Bodwin

Notes:

The 1900 census showed John Bodwin as a farmer and that he came to this country from Belgium in 1857 at the age of 6. Peter Bodwin, father of John, resided with his son at the time of his death and was age 86. Jane Zimmerman writes that after John's barn, near Mishicot, burned down, he worked as a night watchman at the Shipyards. He lost several fingers during his employment, for which he was never compensated.

Manitowoc Herald News
2 December 1929

John Bodwin, Pioneer of County, Dies

A heart ailment which has kept ...to his bed since last Thursday, at 10:30 o'clock this morning proved fatal to John Bodwin, former Gibson and Mischicot resident, who lived in Manitowoc county for 73 of his 79 years. Death occurred at the family home at 310 N. Ninth street.

Born near Brussels, Belgium, on October 20, 1850, Mr. Bodwin moved with his parents to the town of Gibson when six years of age. He married Miss Emma Benkelman of Manitowoc on May 22, 1877, the couple taking up their residence in Gibson. Twenty-seven years ago he purchased a farm at Kings Bridge, disposing of it 11 years ago when he moved to Manitowoc where he was employed at the shipyards. The deceased was a lifelong member of the Catholic church and was a member of the Holy Name Society of the Sacred Heart Church here.

In addition to his widow, he is survived by six of ten children. Mrs. James Cahill of this city, Mrs. Henry Hobbins of Milwaukee, four sons, Walter and Richard of Manitowoc, Arthur of Grand Haven, and Peter of Milwaukee, two brothers Charles and Louis of Chippewa Falls and 13 grandchildren.

Funeral services have not been completed but will be announced tomorrow. Burial will take place at Mischicot.

(Courtesy of Jane Zimmerman, transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2009)

(Research):Census Listings:

1910 Census
Wisconsin, Manitowoc County, Mishicott Town
Enumerated 1 June 1900
SD 3 ED 82 Sheet 11B
Boudwin, John Head W M Oct 1851 48 M 24 Belgium Belgium Bel
gium 1857 42 Farmer
Boudwin, Emma Wife W F Feb 1860 40 M 24 10/9 Wisc Germany Ire
Boudwin, Mary Dtr W F Oct 1879 20 S Wisc Belgium Wisc Housework
Boudwin, Peter Son W M Apr 1881 19 S Wisc Belgium Wisc Day Laborer
Boudwin, Emma Dtr W F Dec 1882 17 S Wisc Belgium Wisc Housework
Boudwin, Arthur Son W M Sept 1885 14 S Wisc Belgium Wisc At School
Boudwin, Walter Son W M Oct 1888 11 S Wisc Belgium Wisc At School
Boudwin, Edward Son W M Jan 1891 9 S Wisc Belgium Wisc At School
Boudwin, Richard Son W M Jan 1894 6 S Wisc Belgium Wisc
Boudwin, Cora Dtr W F Oct 1897 2 S Wisc Belgium Wisc
Boudwin, Peter Father W M Feb 1814 86 Wd Belgium Belgium Belgium

1920 Census
Wisconsin, Manitowoc County, Manitowoc City
Enumerated 13 Jan 1920
SD 5 ED 103 Sheet 9B
310-157-178
Bodwin, John Head M W 70 M 1856 Nat 1877 Belgium/French Belgium/French Belgium/French
Bodwin, Emma Wife F W 60 M Wisc Germany/German Ireland/English
Bodwin, Peter Son 38 Wd Wisc Belgium/French Wisc Laborer
Bodwin, Walter Son 30 S Wisc Belgium/French Wisc Laborer
Bodwin, Richard Son 26 S Wisc Belgium/French Wisc Painter
Bodwin, Cora Dtr 22 S Wisc Belgium/French Wisc
Bodwin, Clifford GrndSon 12 S Wisc Belgium/French Wisc

John married Emma Ella Benkelman on 22 May 1877 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Emma (daughter of Johann Leonhard "Leonard" Benkelman and Jane McCormick) was born on 18 Feb 1860 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; died on 14 Jan 1937 in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; was buried in Mishicot, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John Leonard Bodwin was born on 24 Feb 1878 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; died about 1919.
2. Mary E. "Mayme" Bodwin was born on 24 Oct 1879 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
3. Peter Joseph Bodwin was born on 15 Apr 1881 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; and died.
4. Emma Bodwin was born on 13 Dec 1882 in Wisconsin; died on 15 Dec 1905 in Kingsbridge, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; was buried in Holy Cross II Cemetery, Mishicot, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
5. Arthur Bodwin was born on 17 Sep 1884 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; died on 9 Dec 1935 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; was buried in Holy Cross II Cemetery, Mishicot, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
6. John F. Bodwin was born on 23 Sep 1885 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; and died.
7. Walter Rudolph Bodwin was born on 17 Aug 1888 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; died on 30 Oct 1944 in Wisconsin; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
8. Edward Bodwin was born on 26 Jan 1891 in Wisconsin; died about 1917; was buried in Holy Cross II Cemetery, Mishicot, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
9. Richard Alfred Bodwin was born on 14 Jan 1894 in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; died on 15 Mar 1969 in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin; was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
10. Cora Bodwin was born on 28 Feb 1897 in Wisconsin; and died.

Notes:

Alternate spellings BAUDUIN, BEAUDOIN, BODWIN. Jane Zimmerman writes that her Uncle Leonard always said that Emma Ella Benkelman, the daughter-in-law of Peter Bodwin, was the one who changed the spelling of the Bodwin name, most likely in an attempt to Americanize it. As a primary school teacher, she probably simplified Beaudoin to Bodwin to reflect the phonetic pronunciation.

The maiden name of his wife may be Catherine Nouvellfosse, but this is not yet proven.