Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Odell, Delivan D 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 5, 2007, 9:35 pm

Author: Biographical Publishing Company

DELIVAN D. ODELL, Ph. D., S. T. B., pastor of the Eastern Avenue Baptist 
Church of Joliet, and chaplain of the Third Regiment of Infantry, I. N. G., 
with the rank of captain, is a descendant of a colonial family of New York, 
whose first representatives in that state settled in the Hudson River valley, 
on the present site of Peekskill. In all the great wars of our country members 
of the family have participated, proving themselves loyal to our government 
and also exhibiting great personal bravery in the midst of hard-fought 
battles. Dr. Odell's father, William, who was born in Peekskill, enlisted in 
the war of 1812 when a mere boy, and the grandfather, who was a Revolutionary 
war veteran, also marched to the front in the second war with England. By the 
marriage of William Odell to Lucinda Brown, of Peekskill, fifteen children 
were born (thirteen still living), and during the Civil war four of the sons 
and four sons-in-laws served in the One Hundred and Fourteenth and the One 
Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York Regiments.

Born in Erieville, Madison County, N. Y., May 10, 1853, Dr. Odell was a boy of 
eight years when the Civil war began. Too young to enlist in the service, he 
was, however, old enough to take a most enthusiastic interest in the struggle, 
and, being the best shot of any member of the family, it was a source of great 
disappointment to him that he could not show his skill on the battlefield. He 
was given good educational advantages, and of these he availed himself to the 
utmost, pursuing the classical course of study with the diligence and ardor of 
one who loves his work. In 1879 he received the degree of A. B. upon 
graduating from Colgate University at Hamilton, N. Y., and four years later 
the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by his alma mater. Entering the 
ministry of the Baptist Church, he was ordained at Springfield Center, N. Y., 
in 1879, and immediately began to preach to the congregation at that place, 
where he continued for some years. In the midst of the varied duties of a 
pastor he continued to be a student. In 1882, with a desire to gain a broader 
knowledge of theology, he matriculated in the Chicago Theological Seminary, 
where he took the regular course of study, graduating May 5, 1886, with the 
degree of B. D. Since then he has been the recipient of two of the higher 
degrees; the degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon him by Syracuse University 
June 8, 1890, and that of Bachelor of Sacred Theology by Chicago University in 
June, 1899.

On the completion of his theological studies in Chicago, Dr. Odell accepted 
the pastorate of the Aurora (Ill.) Baptist Church, where he remained for four 
years, meantime having charge of the erection of a house of worship for that 
congregation. In 1890 he became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Peoria, 
where he superintended the erection of an edifice costing $70,000. His next 
pastorate, commenced in 1894, was that of the Betheden Baptist Church of 
Omaha. His pastorates in these various places were so remarkably successful 
that he gained a widespread reputation in his denomination, and was especially 
noted for his success in raising the necessary money for removing mortgages 
from church properties that were heavily incumbered. While he was in Omaha, 
the First Baptist Church of Lansing, Mich., was about to be sold for a 
mortgage of $40,000. The members sent an urgent appeal to him, entreating him 
to come to their rescue and save the building from foreclosure. He did so, and 
within two years paid off $20,000 of the debt, thus saving the edifice to the 
congregation. In 1897 he came to Joliet, accepting a call as pastor of the 
Eastern Avenue Baptist Church, which at that time had a membership of two 
hundred and forty-two, but which, under his earnest and able leadership, has 
increased to more than five hundred members. He has been honored by election 
as moderator of the Aurora Baptist Association, in which responsible office he 
has displayed signal ability, wisdom and tact.

Since coming to Joliet Dr. Odell has been a conspicuous figure in matters 
affecting the happiness and welfare of the people. Aggressive in his 
opposition to evil, he has not weakly repined when the religious or moral 
growth of the community has been threatened, but has been firm and steadfast 
in his stand against wickedness and corruption. It was a matter of open 
comment that the law concerning the night and Sunday closing of saloons was 
wilfully violated. With a determination to secure an enforcement of the law, 
he set himself to work, and the agitation resulting from his efforts caused 
widespread interest. The press throughout the country, in commenting 
concerning his efforts, espoused his cause and applauded his zeal. In the end 
he was rewarded with success and the enforcement of the law was secured.

During the Spanish-American war Dr. Odell served at the front as chaplain, 
with the rank of captain, having received the appointment through Col. John 
Lambert, through whose generosity he was enabled to relieve much suffering 
among the sick soldiers in Porto Rico. August 1, 1898, he received from 
Governor Tanner a commission as chaplain of the Third Regiment of Infantry 
Illinois Volunteers, and accompanied the army to the south and from there to 
Porto Rico. By his devotion to the men he won their regard and respect. Going 
from bed to bed in the hospital, he cheered, advised and comforted, while 
among the soldiers on active duty he was constantly present to encourage and 
inspire with new enthusiasm. He was mustered out with his regiment in January, 
1899. On the 24th of July of the same year he was commissioned by Governor 
Tanner as chaplain of  the Third Infantry, I. N. G., in which capacity he 
continues at this writing. He maintains a deep interest in militia matters, 
and holds a high place among the members of the guard.

Politically Dr. Odell has always been a stanch Republican, yet he has never 
shown a partisan spirit, but has conceded to others the same liberty of 
thought and opinion in political matters that he desires for himself. In 
Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree; his blue lodge membership is 
in Matteson Lodge in Joliet. Shortly after the completion of his course in 
Colgate University he was married, in Springfield Center, N. Y., to Miss Matie 
Ely, who was born at Richfield Springs, that state, and is a member of a 
colonial New York family. The only child of Dr. and Mrs. Odell is Lester E., 
who is a member of the class of 1903, Dennison University at Granville, Ohio.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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