Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-09

GREAT ENTERPRIsEs-A SKETCH OF THE
LIFE OF A REMARKABLE MAINE BUSINESS
MAN.
Benz. Franklin, himself, could not have
told more picturesque story Of his early
struggles and rise to eminence, than might
be related by Mr.. J r. Bodwell of Hallowell.
Left to be kicked about by the world, when
an eight years old boy, earning his board by
doing chores for farmer, getting a dollar or
two ahead with his hammer and awl on q
shoe maker's bench. beginning his now vast
enterprises with one yoke of oxen, which he
drove and shod, himself, and at present the
head of one Of the greatest industrial enter
prises in New England which will give work
to 2000 men, this summer-this 10 brief
summary of Mr.Bodwells wonderful history.
Mr.. Bodwell is not quite sixty-eight years
old. He was born June 18th, 1918, in that
part of Methuen, Mass. now called Lawrence
His father Joseph Bodwell, owned farm at
the mouth of the Spigot river. He was .
most worthy man and his wife was woman
of refinement and exemplary character.
Young Joseph X. was thrown on his own
resources at the age of eight years, his father
having through unavoidable misfortune, lost
his property. Being persuaded bv brother
in law to commit the boy to his care. in this
brother-in-law, Patrick Fleming of Methuen,
his son found friend with whom he resided
andapon whose farm he labored until he
reached the age of sixteen. The school of
manual labor in which he passed these form
alive wears was precisely the one best fitted
to qualify him for the peculiar success be
has since so triumphantly achieved. During
the year 1884 this rough practical education
was continued in his experience as a farm la-
borer with the wages of six dollars per month
In 1885 he began to acquire the art of shoe
making and pursued other occupations which
gave promise of a larger and different sphere
of activity He attended school during
the day, and on his return, taking
with him the materials tor making shoes,
spent his evening and the early part of his
morning in their fabrication. There was evil
dence of sterling material in this sturdy and
industrious youth This mode Of life and la
Dor lasted until 1888. He then, in connec-
ton with his father purchased farm in West
Methuen and aided in its cultivation until his
fathers death in 1913. While thus occupied
he took the first steps in that special business
career in which he has since been so promi-
nent and by means of which he has done so
much to develope the natural resources of
his adopted State. When the Lawrences of
Boston began to utilize the water power of
the Merrimack at Lawrence. Mr.. Bodwell
was employed to haul granite from Pelham,
N. H., for the construction of dam. Thi.
made him acquainted with all the processes
involved in quarrying and working granite.
vi Oh
ster, he commenced to work the granite
quarries of Fox Island ut the mouth of Pen
obscot Bay Up to that period the granite
islands, headlands and coast of Maine we're
for the most part practically worthless Since
then, under the hands of Mr.. Bodwell aud
others endowed with his support and impelled
by his example, they have been converted
into scenes Of activity and yielded material
for the construction of many Of our most
magnificent national, civic and private edit
ces.
Mr.. Bodwell commenced operations on
Fox Island at Vinalhaven with one yoke OF
oxen over which he welded the goad stick
and which he shod with his own hands; but
from this humble beginning sprung results OF
such magnitude that company OF capitalist.
was organized to utilize the quarries there
discovered. This corporation, known As the
Bodwell Granite Company, elected Mr.. Bod
well to its presidency. The office then in.
trusted to him he holds at the present time
Under his energetic and prudent management
it has attained to the position of the leading
granite corporation in the United States.
In 1866 Mr.. Bodwell removed with his fam
ilv to Hallowel. He had forseen that gran.
tie of lighter color and more delicate in tex
ture than that which had been so extensively
Cd ha f,,t,,
granite he found in the neighborhood of Hal.
lowell. 1t was precisely the kind and quality
of material demanded for monumental and
artistic purposes. After procuring control OF
these extensive deposits he organized the
Hallowell Granite Company in 1870 and has
himself been at its head from that time until
now. The products of this association have
been sent into every state in the Union. 1t,
colossal statuary, rivaling white marble in it.
beauty, is to be found in every great city in
the United States from Portland to New
Orleans. For building work it is in great
and widely extended demand
Mr. Bodwell never lost his early love OF
agricultural pursuits. With largely aug.
mented means of gratifying his bucolic
tastes, he purchased large farm in Hallow
ell and cultivated it with a success mourning
much self-applicstion. His accurate judg.
ment of the different kinds Of live stock nee.
esssry to meet the various demands of the
country led him to import a herd of thor.
oughbred Hereford cattle in 1879. From
this undertaking he had not anticipated very
remunerative returns, but so agreeably was
he disappointed that he has since continued
to import the Hereford. the Black Poled
Angus and Sussex breed. He is now one of
the largest importers of these special stocks.
Varsatila md efffpippf divars;GaJ h,.;zs.
departments, Mr.. Bodwell is also president
of the Bodwell Water Co. at Oldtown. Me
q corporation which has the largest water
power in New England. He carries on lum-
bering operations on the head-waters of the
Kennehec river and Ia q nromota, al ....l