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The grim reaper death is always busy gathering his harvest here and there, first
in one home and then in another. When C. M. Odell of Elk
township was called to his final rest the community in which he lived lost a
representative citizen, his associates a faithful friend and his family a
devoted husband and father. He was born in Elk township, April 27, 1855, and was
a son of Job and Mary Odell.
Upon the old homestead farm C. M. Odell was reared,
remaining there up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1881,
Miss Mary Kennedy becoming his wife. Three children were born of that union, of
whom two died in infancy, while the surviving daughter, Clara, is now the wife
of C. W. Lash, a resident of North Dakota. The wife and mother passed away and
in 1887 Mr. Odell married again, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth
Kennedy, a daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Lindsay) Kennedy, both of whom were
natives of Ireland. In 1854 they came to the United States and established their
home in Elk township, this county, among the pioneer settlers. There was little
indication that Delaware county would ever become the thickly populated and
prosperous region which it is today, for at that time the work of civilization
had hardly penetrated into the region and much the land was still in possession
of the government. Mr. Kennedy entered a claim and there on built a log
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cabin which the
family occupied for several years. Later, however, he improved the place with
fine buildings and continued the further development of his farm until with his
wife he removed to South Dakota, where they spent their remaining days. In their
family were fourteen children, of who eight still survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Odell became the parents of two sons
and a daughter. John K., the eldest, born April 27, 1888, is still at home with
his mother and operates the farm. He is a graduate of the Greeley high school
and attended Lenox College one year. Edith M., born February 2, 1892, was
graduated from the State Normal School at San Diego, California, and is now a
teacher in Greeley, Iowa. Benjamin, born October 7, 1899, is attending the high
school in Greeley.
Mr. Odell led a busy life and as the result of his
energy, persistency of purpose and careful management he became the owner of two
hundred and ninety acres of rich and valuable land on section 21, Elk township,
on which he placed many improvements. There he lived until his death, which
occurred March 14, 1909, when he was laid to rest in Grandview cemetery, leaving
a widow and four children to mourn his loss. He did not seek to figure
prominently in any public connection, being content to concentrate his energies
upon his business affairs and to faithfully perform the duties which each day
brought. His sterling worth, however, was widely recognized and deep regret was
felt at his passing. |
