Robert James Odell Biography


	This biography appears on pages 762-763 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ROBERT JAMES ODELL. 

	Robert James Odell, one of the pioneer merchants of Montrose, is 
successfully engaged in business as a dealer in hardware, furniture and 
farm implements, enjoying an extensive and well merited patronage. His 
birth occurred in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 8th of August, 
1854, his parents being Abijah and Eliza Jane (Douglas) Odell, both of 
whom are deceased. The father came to South Dakota in 1886 and here 
devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until called to his 
final rest in 1907. 

	Robert James Odell attended the graded and high schools in the 
acquirement of an education and after putting aside his textbooks 
followed farming for some years. Subsequently he embarked in the 
windmill business and traveled to a-considerable extent, erecting 
windmills, etc., during a period of three years. On the 29th of May, 
1879, having come to Montrose, South Dakota, he filed on a homestead 
and a tree claim comprising the east half of section 26, township 103, 
range 53. He farmed this place and also worked in the town as a 
builder, erecting some of the better residences. In 1902 he purchased 
the hardware establishment of F. E. Smith and began business on a small 
scale, but his patronage has steadily increased until he now carries an 
extensive stock of goods in a modern and well appointed building and 
also conducts furniture and undertaking departments. He is the 
president of the South Dakota Retail Hardware Association and a 
delegate to the national convention of this association. Success has 
attended his undertakings in a gratifying degree and he is widely 
recognized as one of the leading business men and honored pioneer 
settlers of his locality. 

	Mr. Odell has been married twice, first wedding Miss A. L. Stow, 
who passed away in 1893. In 1900 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Annie Truog. His children of the first marriage are as follows: Royal 
B.; Maud, who is the wife of John Benson; R. Douglas; and Archie. Those 
of the second marriage are Milford, Roberta and Loretta. 

	In his political views Mr. Odell is a progressive republican and 
his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have chosen him 
as their representative on various occasions. He served as a member of 
the legislature in 1892, has also been a member of the city council and 
for a number of years acted as town treasurer, on all occasions making 
a most creditable and commendable record. Fraternally he is identified 
with the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while his 
religious faith is that of the Baptist church. Tile period of his 
residence in this state covers more than a third of a century and he 
has been an interested witness of and an active participant in the work 
of development, growth and advancement along many lines.