Ode, Ole P. 1867 – 1932
ODE, RIESTY, DAVIDSON, HOLVERSON
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/19/2015 at 09:58:58
OLE P. ODE.
Holding a foremost position in the financial circles of Winneshiek county, Ole P. Ode has been in many ways instrumental in the general upbuilding of his locality. Not only is he cashier and manager of the Winneshiek County Bank of Calmar, in which he is also a director and stockholder, but is interested in a number of other important financial institutions in the county. Moreover, he has given evidence of his public spirit by acceptably filling various positions of trust, serving on the school board and doing efficient work as treasurer of Calmar and member of the council. Born in Springfield township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, on November 15, 1867, the parents of Mr. Ode are Peter G. and Jorend (Riesty) Ode, natives of Norway. The father came to America in the '50s and, locating in Winneshiek county, purchased land in Springfield township, which he cleared and improved indefatigably. He devoted himself to this labor, overcoming obstacles and enduring the hardships of pioneer life, his industry and energy carrying him to success, and he now owns in that section a valuable property which he has ever since operated. He is seventy-eight years of age and the mother is also living at the age of seventy-three.
Ole P. Ode attended the district schools near his father's farm and Breckenridge Institute at Decorah in pursuing his education. He made himself useful on the farm and assisted his father until he reached the age of twenty-five, when he went to Decorah in order to enter the employ of the Winneshiek County Bank as bookkeeper on October 1, 1892. He remained in that capacity for two years, at the end of which time he was appointed assistant cashier, holding this position for two and a half years, when on June 1, 1897, he came to Calmar as cashier and manager of the Winneshiek County Bank, a branch of the Decorah institution, and has held that position ever since, being also a director and stockholder. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and he was one of its organizers. The wonderful growth of this institution is largely due to the industry, ability and experience of Mr. Ode, who has become recognized as one of the most able and shrewd financiers of this part of the state. He gives his closest attention to even the smallest detail of the work and there occurs nothing that escapes his attention. The list of depositors has largely increased since Mr. Ode has taken charge and the investments of the bank are so carefully made that it is justly considered one of the most conservative and sound in the state. This conservatism, however, is happily combined with a progressive policy of expansion, and as the bank extends credit, when justified, to legitimate new enterprises it has become an important factor in the general advancement of the city.
On December 10, 1895, Mr. Ode married Miss Louise M. Davidson, a daughter of Gudmund and Liv (Holverson) Davidson, natives of Norway. The father upon coming to this country located at an early day in Wisconsin, where for a good many years he operated a farm, which he sold in order to retire, moving to Decorah, this state, which city he made his home until his death, which occurred in October, 1910, at the age of eighty-nine years. The mother had preceded him in death, passing away on October 1, 1890, at the age of fifty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Ode have two children: Olga J., aged sixteen; and Paul G., aged thirteen.
As his means and reputation have increased Mr. Ode has become importantly connected with other financial institutions, and is now a stockholder and director in the Home Savings Bank at Fort Atkinson, Iowa; The Citizens Savings Bank at Spillville, this county; and the Winneshiek County Bank at Ridgeway. Always interested in the cause of education, he does efficient service as treasurer of the school board, and has served with success as a member of the town council. Formerly he was also treasurer of Calmar. He owns a handsome home in that city, where he and his wife extend warm hearted hospitality to their many friends. Politically he is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks carries his name on the roster of the Decorah lodge. As the chief officer of the Winneshiek County Bank, which owns the building it occupies, he holds one of the most influential positions in the commercial life of his community and is highly respected and esteemed for what he has accomplished and for the qualities of character which have made possible his success.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
Calmar Lutheran Cemetery gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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