Biography of John L and Charles Wesley O'Daniel, Newton Co, AR

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Submitted by: John Levi Kent
Email address: <jkent @ oztech . com>
February 2000
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From Goodspead Brothers, Publishers - 1894.

JOHN L. and CHARLES WESLEY O'DANIEL.

In viewing the various enterprises that tend to make Western Grove,
Ark., one of the county's most important cities it is curious, as well
as instructive, to note the advances that have been made in the
different lines of business and to ascertain the progress that has been
secured by enterprise and capital. Among the prominent business men of
this place John L. and Charles W. O'Daniel, proprietors and operators of
the Western Grove Flour Mill and Cotton Gin, stand in the front ranks.
The business is conducted under the firm name of J. L. O'Daniel & Bro.
and the name of this firm is a passport to popular favor and has become
very prominent in the few years it has been in existence. These brothers
were born in Western Grove, Ark., the former in 1861 and the latter in
1858. Their parents, Jesse and Mary Ann (House) O'Daniel, were natives
of North Carolina and Mississippi, respectively, the father born in 1826
and the mother in 1831. Both father and mother came with their parents
to Arkansas Territory when small and were subsequently married in Newton
County, Ark., where Mr. O'Daniel passed the remainder of his days, dying
in1887. He was a successful farmer and in connection was a blacksmith,
following both occupations through life. In religion he was a Methodist,
and in politics a Democrat. His brother and sisters were named as
follows: Greene (deceased), Elizabeth Ann, Polly Frances (deceased),
Jennie P. (deceased) and Margaret A. (deceased.) Their father, Greene
O'Daniel, was probably born in North Carolina, but was one of the first
white settlers of northwest Arkansas, settling in what is now Newton
County, near the present town of Western Grove, when Arkansas was a
Territory, and experiencing all the privations and hardships of pioneer
life. He was industrious and honest, characteristics which have
descended to his children and grandchildren, and made a good home, where
he lived for nearly half a century, dying in 1870, when quite aged. He
was of Irish parents. His wife died in 1869. She was a member of the
Methodist Church. The maternal grandfather, Samuel House, came from
Mississippi to Arkansas at a very early day also, and there resided for
a number of years. The mother of our subject is living. The following
children were born to her marriage: Greene, an engineer of Western
Grove; James, a farmer; Charles Wesley; John L.; Jesse; Pleasant;
Macklin Asbury; William Riley, died young, as did also Nancy Adeline and
Mary Belle. All the children living are now residents of Western Grove
and they were educated in this county, the older ones receiving limited
advantages in that direction. John L. O'Daniel learned the blacksmith's
trade with his father when a boy and followed this for about six years
after reaching mature years. After that he worked at the carpenter's
trade for about three years and about 1889 he and William Mallard built
the mill now owned by the two O'Daniels. The firm was Mallard & O'Daniel
until 1891, when Charles W. O'Daniel succeeded Mr. Mallard and the
present firm was founded. This is the largest and most completely
equipped mill in Newton County. The main building is 4Ox60 feet, two
stories in height and an engine house 2OX22 feet. It is a bur mill, with
a capacity of sixty bushels of wheat per day. The gin is the Brown make,
with a capacity of six or seven bales per day. This mill has a good
trade, controlling.,the custom for a distance of twenty-five miles
south. John L. also owns a good farm of I20 acres near town. He started
in life with nothing and made his first start at the forge. In the year
1880 he was married to Miss Sarah Bryan, a native of Tennessee, where
she was left an orphan when young. Later she came with her sister to
this county. Mr. and Mrs. O'Daniel are the parents of five children:
May, Floyd, Della, Thurman and Maud. The O'Daniels are Democrats and
both John L. and Charles W. are Masons, of Bluff Springs Lodge No. 103.
The former is a member of the Relief Chapter NO. 35, at St. Joe, and has
served one year as worshipful master. He and wife are Methodists in
their religious views.