Will County IL Archives Biographies.....O'Donnell, James L 1849 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 11:48 pm

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

JAMES L. O'DONNELL, Attorney-at-Law and junior member of the firm of Haley & 
O'Donnell has, in company with his partner, a well-equipped office in the 
Barber Building and enjoys a liberal patronage among the people who have 
learned to rely upon him as an able attorney, possessing honesty and sound 
judgment. He located in the city in 1874, and has followed his practice 
continually since. A native of LaSalle County, Ill., the subject of this 
notice was born August 10, 1849, and is the son of William O'Donnell, a native 
of County Tipperary, Ireland. The latter emigrated to America when a young man 
and located in LaSalle County, Ill., where in 1847 he was married to Miss 
Johanna Caton. He followed agricultural pursuits until his death, which 
occurred in April, 1889, when he was seventy three years old. Upon becoming a 
voting citizen he identified himself with the Democratic party and he was a 
member in good standing of the Catholic Church. He was a man of quiet habits, 
taking no part in political affairs, being a successful and wealthy farmer, 
and enjoying the esteem of his neighbors. The wife and mother is still living, 
making her home in La Salle County, Ill., and of the twelve children born to 
her and her husband, nine are still living. Mr. O'Donnell attended the 
district schools of his native county during his younger years and later 
repairing to Niagara County, N. Y., became a student of St. Mary's University. 
At the end of the course he began reading law with Glover, Cook & Campbell of 
Ottawa, and later he was with Mayo & Widner. He was admitted to practice in 
the Supreme Court at Springfield, Ill., in January, 1874, and in April came to 
this county, locating at Braidwood, where he remained until July. The present 
partnership was formed July 29, that same year and has continued 
uninterruptedly until the present time. It comprises one of the prominent law 
firms of Joliet, and stands second to none in point of professional ability as 
well as citizenship. Mr. O'Donnell was married in September, 1877, to Miss 
Costelle E. Edgerly, and of this union there have been born three children: 
Edith, Louise and Francis. Mrs. O'Donnell was born in Penobscot County, Me., 
and was the daughter of Lorrin and Sarah Edgerly, who were natives of Maine. 
Mr. Edgerly came to Joliet in 1876 and is still a resident of the city; the 
wife and mother is living. Mr. O'Donnell votes the straight Democratic ticket, 
and in 1880 was the nominee of his party for State's Attorney, making a good 
race. He takes an active interest in the breeding of trotting and saddle 
horses, the use of which constitutes his favorite recreation. Mr. O'Donnell is 
the Attorney of the Mutual Loan & Building Association, in which he is also a 
stockholder and Director. The firm also are Attorneys for the Atchison, Topeka 
& Santa Fe Railroad Company and Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad Company. At 
present they are also acting attorneys for the Wabash Road and for the First 
National Bank, of Grundy County.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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