Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Caleb E. Odell
History of Daviess County
Goodspeed Publishing Company 1886
CALEB E. ODELL, brick-maker and contractor, of Odon, Ind., was born September 22, 1848, in Daviess County, Ind., son of Emsley and Sarah A. (Scott) Odell (mention of whom is made elsewhere). Caleb attended the district school near home, and in 1873 entered the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, and remained until he nearly finished the full course, attending about six terms. At the age of twenty he began teaching school, and continued that work for eight years. He was highly successful, and was for three years principal of the high school at Odon, Ind. October 7, 1876, he wedded Mary M. Blough, daughter of Joseph and Mary A. Blough. Mrs. Odell was born in Ohio in 1855. To their union three children were born, two of whom are living:Letha, Grace and Raymond Clyde. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Odell entered into partnership with his brother Alexander In the general merchandise store in Odon. During the first two years of their partnership he also taught school. They continued together until 1884, when they disposed of their goods. In the fall of that year subject began manufacturing brick and taking contracts for building houses. In 1884 Mr. Odell manufactured 250,000 brick, and 175,000 in the summer of 1885. He is one of the wide-awake businessmen of the village, and is doing well financially. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant . In 1878 he was elected trustee of Madison Township, and served four years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife is a member of the United Brethren Church.
Contributed by: Michael L Tedrow