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WILLIAM BODLEY
From the 1887 History
of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 415-416:
William Bodley
(Farmer
and Proprietor of Coal Mine, Section 36, Post-office, Sprague)
This
upright, honorable citizen of Henry township has had a career devoid of
startling events, and yet his entire life has been passed in a manner
above reproach, attending steadily to the duties of his adopted
calling. He has been located in this county for a number of years, and
though his present farm of 78 acres is not as large as many surrounding
it, its value can hardly be estimated, for underlying the land is a vein
of coal, which, for quality, cannot be excelled by any in Vernon
county. Mr. Bodley was born on October 8, 1836, in Steuben county,
Ind. His father, John Bodley, and also his mother, whose maiden name was
Charity Van Fleet, were natives of Ohio, and the parents of four
children. Those besides William, who was the second child, were Jane,
Louisa and Daniel. The father devoted himself to the duties of farming
and very naturally, therefore, the son was brought up to a knowledge of
the same calling. After leaving Indiana in May, 1858, he went to
Barnesville, Kas., remaining there until 1866, when he came to this
county and this has continued to be his home. During the War he had but
limited military experience, serving only in the Home Guards. In
November, 1871, Mr. Bodley was married to Miss Hettie Corey, originally
from New York State. Two adopted children are in their family, and upon
these two, James and Minnie Alice, the same care and affection is
bestowed as though they were their own. Mr. Bodley and wife have many
warm friends, whose esteem they highly prize.
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