Ebenezer Vining Bodwell

Ebenezer Vining Bodwell (April 30, 1827 – October 18, 1889) was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He represented Oxford South in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal member from 1867 to 1874.[1] His great-grandson, Garth Turner, is a former Canadian Member of Parliament and former cabinet minister.

Ebenezer Bodwell
Bodwell in 1868
Member of Parliament for South Riding of Oxford
In office 1867–1874
Preceded by	Riding established
Personal details
Born	(1827-04-30)April 30, 1827 Nissouri, Ontario, Upper Canada
Died	October 18, 1889(1889-10-18) (aged 62) Morley, Alberta, Northwest Territories
Relations	Garth Turner (great-grandson)
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin

He was born in Nissouri Township in Middlesex County, Upper Canada in 1827[1] and later moved to a farm in Dereham Township with his family. He studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Bodwell served as clerk and treasurer for the township,[2] later becoming a member of the township council, then reeve and later warden for Oxford County.[1] He married Esther D. Crandon.[3]

After the death of George Skeffington Connor in 1863, Bodwell ran in the by-election for the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada but was defeated by George Brown. In the 1867 Canadian federal election, he was elected to the House of Commons of the 1st Canadian Parliament from the South Riding of Oxford. In 1875, Bodwell was appointed superintendent for the Welland Canal and served until 1879, when he was named government accountant for the Canadian Pacific Railway and sent to British Columbia.[2] In 1887, he moved to Vancouver.[3] He was the second president of the Vancouver Board of Trade. Bodwell died at Morley, Northwest Territories in 1889.[2]