History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, 1887



Bodine Family - DEWITT BODINE Biography

DeWitt Bodine, a leading citizen of Hughesville, and for many years prominently identified with the commercial and financial interests of Lycoming county, is the representative of an old and honored ancestry dating back to colonial times, only a few years after the Dutch authority was superseded by English rule.

The emigrant ancestor of the Bodine family in America was Jean Bodin, a Huguenot, born in France in 1645, and died on Staten Island, New York, in 1695. His son John had a son Abraham, whose son Cornelius, born in New Jersey in 1756, served with honor in the Revolutionary war. Cornelius Bodine married Margaret Van Sutphen, of Dutch descent, and they settled in the vicinity of Hughesville, Lycoming county, in 1802, and subsequently removed to Seneca county, New York, where they died, respectively, June 12, 1820, and November 15, 1824. Their children were : Abraham, Peter, John, Cornelius, Gilbert, Isaac, Charles and George.

Abraham, eldest child of Cornelius and Margaret (Van Sutphen) Bodine, was born in Readington, New Jersey, in 1779, and with his father moved to Lycoming county, where he became one of the foremost land owners of his period. He married first Mercy Paxon, a member of the Society of Friends, by whom he had five children, and, second, Barbara Cruse, by whom he had one child. His six children were : John, Elizabeth, Charles, Margaret, George and Russell. He died at Hughesville, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1862.

Charles Bodine, third child of Abraham and Mercy (Paxon) Bodine, was born July 4, 1809. He was a merchant, and one of the prominent business men of his day. He married Maria Christman, and their children were: C. Christman, Clinton, DeWitt, Milton and Mary, all deceased except DeWitt. Charles Bodine died April 1g, 1851, and his widow thirty years later, on February 26, 1880.

DeWitt Bodine, third child and third son of Charles and Maria (Christman) Bodine, was born in Hughesville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1841. He began his education in the public schools and completed it in Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, from which he was graduated with the highest honors and distinction in 1861, as valedictorian of his class, at the age of twenty years. Shortly afterward, in 1862, under the " Emergency Call " of Governor Curtin, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, acquitting himself as a soldier most creditably. On his return from military service he engaged in the lumber and real estate business, and has continued successfully in its prosecution to the present time, having been associated with his uncle, George Bodine, and after his, death continuing the business upon his own account. He has constantly extended his aid, vigorously and intelligently, to the furtherance of every movement calculated to promote the interests of the city and county, and is regarded as one of the most substantial and public-spirited citizens of the county-trustworthy, liberal, a safe counselor and a willing helper, both in public and private concerns. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Hughesville, of which he has been president for many years• past. To him the Muncy Valley is largely indebted for the building of the Williamsport and North Branch Railroad. He early discerned the advantage such an outlet would be to the industries and trade of Lycoming and Sullivan counties, and was vigorous and persistent in his efforts to bring about the consummation of the project. He has long taken a deep interest in the development of Eagles' Mere, and as a director and treasurer of the syndicate has borne his share in the labor of bringing this charming place of resort into public notice and favor. One of his marked characteristics has ever been his zealous interest in educational concerns, and it is most pleasant to make record of his benefactions in connection with Dickinson Seminary, his alma mater. To this institution he contributed sufficient means to establish its first full scholarship, entitled the " DeWitt Bodine Scholarship," which covers all expenses of a regular course, including tuition, board, room, laundry work, light and heat, everything but books. This scholarship is annually awarded at the close of the scholastic year to that student of the Hughesville High School who shall have attained to the highest degree of advancement, and this excellent benefaction has been the means of providing to many a young person a thoroughness of preparation which has enabled the recipient to enter upon a successful career in life. He has also founded a permanent scholarship in the Susquehanna University at Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, placing it under the absolute control of the Lutheran church of Hughesville. In both of these time-honored and excellent institutions Mr. Bodine has long served as a. member of the board of directors, and both have been the objects of his constant solicitude and benefactions other than those named.

In politics Mr. Bodine has ever been an ardent Republican, and takes a hearty pride in the fact that his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, at the second election of that foremost of all Americans, hut a few months before he fell at the hand of the assassin, in the hour of the nation's victory. He has always been found on the side of true reform, and, while fearless in advocating the principles which stand approved by his conscience, is ever considerate of the feelings of others and respectful of their differing views.

In October, 1876, Mr. Bodine was married to Miss Emma Biddle, daughter of the late General Gershom Biddle, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Lycoming county. No children have been born of this marriage. Highly successful in life, Mr. Bodine has secured a comfortable competence, with not a dollar bearing a taint of improper acquirement. He occupies a beautiful residence, and his home life is delightful in its unpretentious culture and comfort. Mr. Bodine's personal traits of character may be estimated in large degree from what has been said in this narrative with reference to his liberal aid to educational institutions. His solicitude extends likewise to the distressed in body and estate, many of whom address him for assistance from time to time. In such instances, husband and wife, whose sympathies are in entire accord in all things, agree upon relief, which is freely extended, and which goes unheralded save by the grateful recipients of their bounty.


Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Lycoming County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1906.










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