Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 7.75 x 9.75, October 2, 1876. President Grant directs the Secretary of State to “affix the Seal of the United States to a Warrant for the pardon of William J. Bodenhamer.” Signed nicely at the conclusion by U. S. Grant. In fine condition.
It remains unknown for what offense Bodenhamer was pardoned.
From a letter written by Paul C. Bodenhamer to Major Howard L. Bodenhamer, on September 27, 1972: ‘My grandfather, William Jacob Bodenhamer, was a major in the Union army: 6th 8th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry, Seventh Army. I remember his telling me that his family was split between North and South. His unit captured one of his cousins one time; he was able to get the cousin released in an exchange of prisoners.’
From James Boyd’s 1922 work, History of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties: ‘Major Bodenhamer is a veteran soldier of the Civil War and was born in Springfield, Missouri, July 5 1841. He had a graded school education and had just entered college when the Civil War broke out. He soon organized a company of Home Guards, subsequently taken into the Federal Army, and was with his command throughout the entire struggle. At the close of the war he had the rank of major. Most of his service was in that dangerous district of the Missouri and western border. Once while scouting he was wounded and rode a horse ninety miles to get hospital care and medical attention. At the close of the war Major Bodenhamer returned to Springfield and became a farmer and also was interested in the manufacture of tobacco products and real estate. He married in 1871 and for about a dozen years remained in Southwestern Missouri looking after his various interests.’
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