Peter Bodette was born in Lower Canada, Great Britain, on January 30, 1819, the son of Eleazar Salom Beaudet and Marie Lafleur. His parents were both of French descent. He came to the United States when 15 years of age and settled first in Vermont, then came to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1857. From there he enlisted on Aug. 15th, 1862, in Co. B, 28th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. At the time of enlistment he was 43 years of age, farming in the town of Vernon. He was paid a bounty of $25.00 for enlisting. Pvt. Bodette served three years with the 28th Wisconsin and received an honorable discharge at Madison, Wisconsin in August 1865.

He was twice married, first to Louise Mellette (d. 1846) and then to Josephine Orcutt. He was the father of fifteen children, fourteen of whom survived him. His oldest son, Peter Jr., was a member of the 8th Vermont Regiment and died just one week prior to Peter Sr.'s enlistment to the 28th Regiment.

When his regiment mustered out at War's end, Peter's comrades presented him with "Calamity", a dog who served as unofficial mascot for the 28th Wisconsin. In the early 1870's Peter and his family moved to northwestern Wisconsin, where he spent the rest of his life. Peter Bodette died at Boyceville, Wisconsin on July 29th, 1897, of dropsy and bright's disease and was laid to rest in Downing Cemetery.