Newaygo County MI Archives Biographies.....Odell, James R. April 21, 1841 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 March 25, 2009, 1:46 am

Author: Chapman Brothers

JAMES R. ODELL, druggist at Fremont, son of Jonathan and Mahala (Prouty) 
Odell, was born in Hillsdale Co., 

Mich., April 21, 1841.  His parents were natives of New York, where they were 
married, and soon after 

removed to Michigan and settled in Hillsdale County.  They remained there for 
several years after the 

death of his father, which occurred in 1854, when his mother came to this 
county and settled in Fremont, 

about the year 1867.

James R. remained under the parental roof until 16 years of age, attending the 
common schools.  He then 

learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed for nearly five 
years previous to the breaking 

out of the rebellion.  In September, 1864, he enlisted in the 11th Mich. Cav., 
and, after serving till the 

close of the war, was honorably discharged at Knoxvile, Tenn.  He participated 
in several engagements, and 

was at the capture of Salisbury prison, N.C.  After  his term of service had 
expired he returned to 

Hillsdale Co., Mich., and worked at his trade a short time, when he was taken 
very sick with typhoid 

fever, in consequence of which he was unable to work for eight months.  After 
his recovery, in the spring 

of 1866, he came to Fremont where he worked at his trade about two years. He 
purchased 90 acres of wild 

land in Sheridan Township, upon which he worked during one summer and was 
afterward employed in a general 

store in Fremont, owned by John Delamater.  In two years he purchased a one-
half interest in the store, 

and the firm was known as Delamater & Odell.  This partnership continued for 
about six months, when Mr. 

Odell sold out his interest to John DeHaas, but remained as clerk until the 
store was destroyed by fire 

some two years later.  He assisted in settling up the business of the firm and 
during the following winter 

was engaged in lumbering, adn was also afterwards in the employ of John DeHaas 
for a short time.  

Afterwards he and his brother bought out the stock of drugs and groceries 
owned by Dr. Root and son.  This 

partnership continued about two years, when he bought out the interest of his 
brother in the drug 

department, and in another year sold his own interest in the grocery 
department to his brother.  For a 

short time the drug store was carried on by Odell & Manly, wehn the latter 
withdrew, and the business is 

now conducted by Mr. Odell, who is the leading druggist of the county.  He 
commenced in 1877 to build the 

fine brick building he now occupies and moved his stock of goods in Febraury 
1878.

Mr. Odell was first married in Hillsdale Co., Mich., March 3, 1861, to Mary, 
daughter of Francis and 

Minerva (Smith) More, a native of Michigan.  She afterward died, October 1864, 
leaving one child, born 

Dec. 127, 1863.  Mr. Odell was again married, in Hesperia, this county, in the 
year 1867, to Alice, 

daughter of Daniel Joslin, and they have had three children:  Mary, Eva M. and 
Pearl; the former is 

deceased.  Mr. Odell has held the office of Township Clerk for ten consecutive 
years; is a member of the 

Masonic Order, and has filled various offices in his lodge, having served two 
years as Master, and is also 

Commander of Henry Dobson Post, G.A.R.  In politics he is identified with the 
Democratic party.  He has 

been a member of the Village Board, serving as President or Trustee since its 
incorporation; was also 

member of the School Board when the graded system went into effect, and is 
still a member of the same.

Additional Comments:
1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Newaygo Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/newaygo/bios/odell377nbs.txt

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