Benjamin Halsey Bodwell (1815-1904)Son of: Benjamin 1786 Benjamin opened a store at Farina Depot, Illinois about 1860. Benjamin is listed in the Dallas, Texas city directory for 1878-79 as operator of a water wagon and residing at 1349 Elm Street. According to subsequent directory listings: Son Grant was living at with Benjamin at the Elm Street address and was employed as a teamster. By 1883, Benjamin was a teamster living at 941 South Harwood. The 1884/5 directory lists Benjamin as in charge of City Park. In 1885 Benjamin had returned to his previous occupation as teamster, while his wife Elizabeth was employed as a seamstress at the Home Manufacturing Company. In 1887 Benjamin's occupation was wood dealer, but by 1889 had returned to the teamster occupation. In 1891-2, son Grant was again living with Benjamin and working as a teamster. In 1892, Mrs. Alabama Bodwell was living with Benjamin and Elizabeth at 312 S. Harwood. From 1906 to 1910 Elizabeth was living as a widow at 308 S. Harwood. In 1912 at 1112 S. Harwood and with son Benjamin A. Bodwell at 1200 South Harwood by 1914. The two continued to live at the same address until 1921 or 1922 when Elizabeth died. Benjamin A. Bodwell was still living at the Harwood address until at least 1923, the last year the directory was checked. Early Pioneer of Dallas Dies Early Wednesday Mrs. B. H. Bodwell, 95 years old, 1200 South Harwood Street, died at her home at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday morning, following a brief illness. Mrs. Bodwell was born February 14, 1826 in Raleigh, Rowan county, N. C. She was, before her marriage, Elizabeth Poynor. Her father, Henry Poynor, a distinguished man of his day, moved to Paris, Henry county, Tenn., where the family was intimately acquainted with John W. Crockett, son of Davy Crockett of early Texas fame. Mrs. Bodwell spent her girlhood days in Tennessee and was married to B. H. Bodwell at Paris, Tenn., October 26, 1847, where they lived until coming to Texas. In 1874 they came to Dallas and bought a residence lot near the Houston & Texas Central station from John Murphy of the firm of Murphy and Bolanz. Later they moved to the present home, 1200 South Harwood Street, where she had lived for the last 40 years. Mr Bodwell died there February 9, 1904. At the time he came to Dallas he had retired from the mercantile business. Mrs. Bodwell is survived by two daughters, Mrs. A. E. Graham and B. A. Bodwell of Dallas; Mrs. M. T. Purcell of Fort Worth, and C. P. Bodwell of Avinger, and six grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. A. E. Hamilton, of Dyersburg, Tenn. For the last forty-two years Mrs. Bodwell had been a devout member of the Seventh Day Adventists' church. Funeral services will be held in the Seventh Day Adventist church, 2900 Live Oak street, at 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon, with the Rev. G. H. West, pastor of the church, officiating. The body will be taken to Keene in Johnson county, at 8 o'clock Thursday night via the Santa Fe. Buriel will take place in the cemetery at Keene Friday morning. (source: Dallas newspaper clipping, 1920/1 provided by Robert Glenn Bodwell of Avinger, Tx.)
Children of Benjamin and Betsey (Poynor) Bodwell
* Archimedies Grant Bodwell (child number 8) was drowned in the Gila River. 01/03/97 [Return to The Bodwell Family Home Page]
Contact: bodwell@ptcpartners.com |