J. Clarence Odden

ODDEN, OLSON, ERICKSON, ARNESON, BAKKEN

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 4/29/2009 at 12:58:36

The Quality Store at Lake Mills is well known throughout Winnebago county as an up-to-date and thoroughly reliable establishment and its owner, J. Clarence Odden, has won a place for himself among the leading merchants of the city.

He was born on the 14th of November, 1886, in Lake Mills, of the marriage of Charles and Martha (Olson) Odden, who located in Winnebago county on their removal to the United States from Norway. The father engaged in farming and was also a stone mason contractor and through his well directed activity gained a competence. He died in 1892 and is buried in the Winnebago Church cemetery in Center township. The mother survives and lives upon a farm three miles south of Lake Mills.

J. Clarence Odden, who is the oldest in a family of three children, attended the district schools until he was fifteen years of age and later was for two years a student in the University of Southern Minnesota, of Austin, Minnesota. For one year he worked as a bookkeeper in Omaha and for five years was connected with a clothing firm in Mason City, Iowa. In 1914 he bought out the general store conducted by M.O. Bakken in Lake Mills and he has since given his undivided time and attention to that business. He carries a complete line of furnishings and shoes and his grocery department is well stocked with staple and fancy goods. He has adopted as the name of his establishment The Quality Store and has made it his constant endeavor to give the greatest value possible for the price asked for his merchandise. He manages his affairs in a thoroughly businesslike and systematic manner and has a high standing in the commercial circles of the city.

In May, 1909, Mr. Odden was united in marriage to Miss Anna Erickson, a daughter of E.N. and Christina (Arneson) Erickson, who reside in Joice, Worth county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Odden have been born two children, Clarene Adelle and Kermit Wayne.

Mr. Odden suports the republican party at the polls and is now serving in the office of councilman, in which connection he supports earnestly all proposed measures that promise to advance the interests of the community. His public spirit is further evidenced in his memebership in the Commercial Club, of which he is vice president. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 868, Loyal Order of Moose, and Aurora Lodge, No. 412, I.O.O.F., and his religious faith is that of the United Lutheran church. Through enterprise and good management he has already gained a gratifying measure of prosperity and his continued success seems assured.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, pg 137-138