Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Alexander Odell
History of Daviess County
Goodspeed Publishing Company 1886
ALEXANDER ODELL is a son of Emsley and Sarah (Scott) Odell, who were natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, born in 1806 and 1813, respectively. The father went to Kentucky in his youth, and about 1828 went to Lawrence County, Ind. He was married in 1830, and kept hotel in Springville for about three years. In 1840 he came to Daviess County, Ind., where be owned at one time 120 acres of land. He died February 12, 1868. The mother is now residing with her children. Subject was born September 22, 1848, in Daviess County, and made his home with his parents until twenty-six years of age. He attended the district schools, and in addition attended the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute for one term. When twenty years of age he began teaching and followed that occupation very successfully for six years. December 10, 1874, he married Mary F., daughter of William and Julia Ballou. She is a native of Daviess County, Ind., born June 22, 1858. To their union five children were born, three of whom survive: Edgar, Famie and Harry. After marriage Mr. Odell farmed the old homestead one year, then moved to Odon and began keeping a general merchandise store, with his brother Caleb as partner. They worked together eight years and then disposed of their stock in the spring of 1885. Since that time subject has clerked in C. L. Pierson's merchandise store. Mr. Odell is a very energetic young man, and in politics is a Republican, and was commissioned postmaster of Odon in 1877 and held the position five years, and was re-commissioned in 1884 and held the office until October, 1885. He is a Mason, and is tolerably well to do financially.
Contributed by: Michael L Tedrow