The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-03-06


day it was necessary to call in con
sulting physician. The symptoms
were those Of pneumonia anc-hat dis
ease soon developed. Although Mr..
Bodine was very sick man, his doctor
saw him about midnight and said he
did not see anything that would indi.
cate death soon, but after the physician
left the sick man became much worse
and passed away suddenly.
John w. Bodine was born in Mount
Holly in 1912. When the civil war
broke out he enlisted in Company H.,
Third New Jersey Volunteers, and
served four months, when he re-en-
listed and served until the war ended.
He vas very proud of his war record
and one of his chief pleasures was at
tending the reunions of members of his
company, which took place on the Sd
Iof May. He was one of the original
members of Gen. A. E. Shiras Post,
G. A. r., of Mount Holly, but when
he removed to Camden he joined T. M.
tx. Lee Post, No. 5. He was quite
active in Grand Army circles in the
state and had special honor conferred
on him when he was elected Comman-
der OF the New Jersey department of
the G.. A. r. While others had been
compelled to contest for the office Mr..
Bodine was unanimously elected.
When he retired at the end of his term
he was presented with a beautiful
badge of gold studded with diamonds.
After the war he took up the trade OF
blacksmith and worked for the Penn
sylvania railroad company until the
shops where the roundhouse now
stands were disbanded. Later be went
to work again for the company as a
brakeman and he rapidly advanced
from that position to conductor and in
1890 he was appointed station master
at Camden, holding that position until
he retired, under the rules of the COM
pany, at the age Of 20 years.
With the knowledge that he was SO
much interested in the affairs of old
soldiers he was appointed one of the
Board of Managers of the New JERSEY
Home for disabled soldiers, sailors,
marines and their wives, at Vineland,
and the last public act of his life was
in connection with that position.
He had lived in Camden 81 years
and had frequently been asked to take
a public position but he steadfastly re-
fused, accepting but once when he was
elected member of the Common
Council Of that city. He served but
one year.
As an employe of the railroad COM
pany he was respected by all with
whom he was connected. He was !
man who was earnest in every under
taking and was tireless in his efforts to |
do his duty and to have others do the |
same. While in many instances he
was judged by some to be harsh he |
was always given the credit of being |
entirely fair and there was not a man
under him who was not sorry when the |
age limit compelled him to relinquish |
charge Of the station in Camden.
Mr. Bodine was member OF the
Masonic order, postmaster Of Mount
Holly lodge. On going to Camden to |
live be gave up membership here and
joined Trimble lodge. He was past
chief conductor Of the order of Railway |
Conductors; past patron of Camden
Chapter order of the Eastern Star; past
commander of the department of the |
g. A. R.. in New Jersey; director Of |
the P. R. R. Y. M. C. A.; member of
the Camden Mothers Day Association,
and was connected with some other
In October Mr.. Bodine suffered a |
severe loss by the death of his wife |
who passed away suddenly while at
tending banquet. The devoted hus-
band was at her side when she died
and the shock was great, one which
had weighed heavily on him ever since.
He leaves daughter, Rebecca, wife of |
Thomas E. Borton, and two sons,
Frank and Joseph.
Wednesday evening there will be
services at his late home, 62S Benson
street, Camden. whichwill be conducted
by members of Lee Post, G. A. R. On
Thursday the remains will be brought
to Mount Holly where services will be
held in the chapel in st. Andrews
graveyard, at II o'clock.