Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-10
JOSEPH II. BODWELL,
THE REPUBIACAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
OF MANIFESTATION OF HIS LIFE.


OF MAINE-SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Bodwell, who was nominated yesterday
as the candidate of the republican party for
Governor of the State, has a history in which
every person in the State should be interested
1t is the history of man who, by force of his
own abilities and efforts, starting from hum
Bile circumstances, has become recognized as
one of the leading men in our State in bust
ness affairs, also distinguished for broad lib
erality, for large hearted generosity, for
faithful performance of public duties, and
fer untiring energy, enterprise, perseverance,
sagacitv and success in whatever he under
takes. Mr.. Bodwell has had valuable expe-
rience in the legislature, and has always
taken an active part in public affairs in an
unobtrusive way. He has large acquaint-
ance all over the country, and at home is
widely and Familiarity known and respected
by all bis acquaintances. The following
sketch of Mr.. Bodwell is a plain, unvar-
nished, reliable narrative of his life, the
same which has heretofore appeared in the
columns of the Journal and other papers
Mr.. Bodwell is not quite sixty-eight wears
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 a
most worthy man and his wife was woman
of refinement and exemplary character.
Young Joseph R. was thrown on his own
resources at the age of eight years, his father
having through unavoidable misfortune, lost
his property. Being persuaded by brother
in-aw to commit the boy to his care, in this
brother-in-law Patrick Fleming of Methuen,
his son found friend with whom he resided
and upon whose farm he labored until he
reached the age of sixteen. The school of
manual labor in which he passed these form
/ alive years was precisely the one best fitted
| to qualify him for the peculiar success he has
since so triumphantlv achieved. During the
year 1894 this rough practical education was
continued in his experience as farm laborer
with the wages of six dollars per month. In
1885 he began to acquire the art of sboemsk
ing and pursued other occupations which gave
promise of larger and different sphere of
activity. He attended school during the day
and on his return, taking with him the ma
terials for making shoes, spent his evenings
and the early part of his mornings in their
fabrication There was evidence Of sterling
material in this sturdy and industrious youth.
This mode of life and labor lasted until
| 1888. He then, in connection with his
father. purchased farm in West Methuen
and aided in its cultivation until his
| fathers death in lS48. While thus occupied
h. took the first steps in that special business
c,raar in which be bas since been an nrom;.
nant and NV means of which he has done an
mucb to dsvejone the natural resources Of
h;s adonted State. When the Lawrences of
pnston hogan To utilize the water mover of
tho Marrimack at Lawrence Mr. RoaweiI
wos amnlovad IN baul Granite from pelhom
n II for rho CONSTRUCTION of q dam TIL
made him ACQUAINTED with all the nrocasses
;rvoIv.d in onarrviny and working gran;,.
Tn 1870 in companv with Hon. Moses Web.
ster be commenced To work the or.n;to
ouarries of Fox Island at the month Of psn.
nhscot Raw Tn 10 that neriod the Granite
| islands. beadlands and coast of Maine were
for the most mart practically worthless Since
then. under the hands of Mr.. Bodwell and
o,hers. endowed with his support and imnel.
| led bv his pxample. they have been converted
into scenes of activity and Welded material
for the construction of MANY of our mos,
magnidcent national civic and nrvate ad;f.
ces.
Mr. Rodwell commenced onerations m
Fox Island At Vinalhayen with one woke NJ
oxen over which he welded the poad.st;ct
and which he shod with his own hands. bu,
from this humble beginning spruny results Of
such magnitude that a companv of capital;sts
was organized to utilize the ouarries there
discovered. This corporation, known as the
Bodwell Granite COMPANY. elected Mr. Rod.
well to its presidency. The office then in.
trusted to him he holds at the present time.
Under his energetic and prudent mauagemen,
it has attained to the position Of the leading
granite corporation in the United States.
In 1866 Mr. Bodwell removed with his fam.
lily to Hallowell. He had forseen that gran.
tie of lighter color and more delicate in tex.
ture than that which had been so extensively
used would be REQUIRED in the fnture. This