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Joseph Bodwell arrived in Vinalhaven in 1852, from Massachusettes. He and Moses Webster (who had arrived the year before), formed a partnership called Bodwell Webster and Company and opened several small quarries. In 1871 it was incorperated as Bodwell Granite Company. For the next several decades Bodwell ran the largest granite quarrying business on the island. In 1872, over 600 men were needed to quarry and cut granite for the State Department Building in Washington, D.C. Over the several years many government contracts were awarded to the Bodwell Granite Company and Mr. Bodwell became a wealthy man. The Bodwell Granite Company was not without controversy, however, as the workers were paid low wages, worked long house and were not always paid in a timely manner.
Joseph Bodwell was Maine's 40th govenor, elected in 1887. He died before his term ended.
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