Joseph Robinson Bodwell | 40th Governor of Maine

(June 18, 1818 – December 15, 1887)

Politician

Bodwell was first elected Mayor of Hallowell in 1869 and served two terms.  He also represented Hallowell in the Maine legislature.

In 1886 he was elected the 40th Governor of Maine, the second Governor from Hallowell.  While in office he advocated to improve child welfare and labor conditions for workers in Maine’s industries. He served until his death on December 15, 1887.

Granite industry

In his 20’s, Joseph Bodwell and his father bought and worked a farm in West Methuen, MA.  During this time period young Bodwell was also engaged to haul a large amount of stone from the quarries in Pelham, New Hampshire to improve the dam on the Merrimack River at Lawrence, MA.  This was his introduction to all aspects of the stone quarrying industry.

Bodwell also had business interests in lumbering, agriculture, live stock and the important ice business.

Bodwell eventually became the owner of two stone companies, opening granite quarries on Vinalhaven in 1852 and opening the Hallowell Granite Company in 1866.  The company was reorganized as the Hallowell Granite Works in 1885 becoming one of the largest granite producers in the United States.

He is buried in the Hallowell Cemetery.