Biography of Claude O'Dell, St Francis County, AR

***********************************************************
Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 19 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
***********************************************************

O'Dell's Studio on North Rosser Street in Forrest City has earned and is
enjoying an enviable reputation as one of the best photographic studios in
Arkansas. It's proud owner, Claude O'Dell, during his twenty five years in the
photographic field, has distinguished himself in his chosen field. He was born
in Memphis on Sep. 1, 1913, son of Jessie D. and Birdie (Sesson) O'Dell Sr.. He
was graduated from the Tech High School in Memphis. In 1934, after working in
Memphis and Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., he came to Forrest City and opened his
studio. IN 1941, during World War II, he worked as an official photographer on
the construction of operation of two of the nation's largest bomb and shell
loading plants in Milan, Tenn, and Shrevesport, La. He joined the Army in Sep.
1943 and was assigned to the infantry, and later was sent overseas to the Signal
Corps, photographic branch, as official post photographer at Attu in the
Aleutian Islands. He served 17 months and was discharged in Dec. 1945 as a
technical sergeant. On Oct. 16, 1943 he married Mary Alice Tate, daughter of
Walter and Mabel Hooper of Nacodoches, Texas. They have two daughters. Mrs.
O'Dell herself is recognized as an accomplished photographer, and is an
important member of the firm. Mr. O'Dell is official photographer for this book,
and many local High Schools, and the couple are members of the First Christian
Church and live on their farm north of Forrest City.


SOURCE:
HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning

Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher
-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas