MERVIN CODY (1815-1919)
MARY JANE VINING (1818-1878)

James was the 6th of 11 children born to Mervin Cody and Mary Jane Vining. He was born in Oxford County, Ontario on June 9th, 1855.

CHILDREN OF MERVIN CODY AND MARY JANE VINING:

1.CHARLES STEWART CODY
2.WILBER RECORD CODY
3.CAROLINE SABINA CODY
4.CHARLOTTE JANE CODY
5.PHILA ESTHER CODY
6.JAMES BODWELL CODY (twin)
7.JARED VINING CODY (twin)
8.TRYPHENA MARIA CODY
9.ELIJAH TEMPLETON CODY
10 JOSIAH MILLARD CODY
11 STILSON HACHETTE CODY

On May the 9th, 1883, in Minnedosa, Manitoba James Bodwell Cody married Miss Isabella Mulberry, who at the time lived near Rapid City, Manitoba with her family. Isabella's family had immigrated from Londonderry, North Ireland. Isabella arrived in 1878 with her two brothers Thomas and James T. Mulberry. The young family homesteaded the 'Little Saskatchewan District' in 1879. Two years later, Isabella's mother Annie Mulberry, and siblings Mary, Christiana, David and Elizabeth Mulberry arrived via the Allan Steamship Lines. The family ended up moving to Spy Hill, Saskatchewan.

SEVEN CHILDREN OF JAMES BODWELL CODY -and-
ISABELLA MULBERRY CODY:

1. MARY JANE VINING CODY (1884-1954)
2. WILBER LINCOLN MULBERRY CODY (1885-1959)
3. CAROLINE FERGUSON CODY (1887-1973)
4. FREDERICK CAREY CODY (1889-1963)
5. DOLLA MABEL CODY (1892-Deceased)
6. ROSS MONTGOMERY CODY (1894-1939)
7. MILLARD JAMES (1902-Deceased)

James and Isabella had their first three children while living in Canada, Vining in 1884, Wilber in 1885 and Caroline in 1887. The couple immigrated to the United States in 1887, shortly after their third child was born. By the time the 1892 U.S. Federal Census was taken , the couple was living in Gorham, New York with their four young children; Vinnie [Vining] 8, Wilbur 7, Carrie 5, and Frederick (8 months).

In the 1900 Census, the family is living in Queensbury Township, Warren County, New York, with two additional children, Dellie, [Dolla] and Ross. James and his family had lived in the U.S. thirteen years by this time, and the U.S. Census states that he had become a naturalized citizen.

Reverend Cody was dedicated to his calling as a Presbyterian Minister. He spoke on many an occasions not only as a clergyman, but also on the value of education. He continued to attend seminars and workshops through the years. One of his passions was the Wayne County Poultry and Pigeon Association, of which he was the founder. Mention of Reverend Cody can be found in countless newspaper articles in Pennsylvania.

His second claim to fame is that he was the cousin of William F. Cody, the infamous "BUFFALO BILL" of ‘THE GREAT WILD WEST SHOW'!!

In 1910, just two years before he passed away, James and his wife Isabella are living with six of their children in Bethany Borough, Wayne County Pennsylvania on Main Street. their son Private Frederick Carey Cody had moved away from home to join the U.S. Army. Frederick is buried in the American Legion Cemetery in Tampa, Florida.

The couple's daughter Mary Jane 'Vining' Cody lived at home with them for a number of years as an adult. She was a nurse, and was the informant to the authorities when her father passed away; and her signature can be found on his death registration.

REVEREND JAMES BODWELL CODY is buried next to his wife ISABELLA MULBERRY CODY, and his daughter DOLLA MABEL CODY HAUSER. They are buried in BLOCK 9, Lot 155 Of The DUNMORE CEMETERY, in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

OBITUARY: 'The Citizen, Honesdale, PA 31 January 1912

Rev. James B. Cody, who for three years was pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian church, died of cancer of the stomach Monday morning at his home in Scranton, after a lingering illness. Rev. Cody accepted a call as assistant to the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Scranton, a few months ago. Owing to ill health he was compelled to retire from his ministerial duties. Rev. Cody was a cousin of "Buffalo Bill" of the Great Wild West show. He was about 59 years of age and was very active in his calling. He was a ceaseless worker in the Sunday School and did much to bring the present efficiency of the Wayne County Sabbath School Association up to its present high standard. Mr. Cody was also the organizer of the Wayne County Poultry and Pigeon Association. Besides a wife the following children survive: Misses Vining, Caroline, Dolla, and Wilbur, Fred, Ross and Millard. The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock.