Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 722
CHARLES W. ODEN

The late Charles W. ODEN was one of the pioneer settlers in Harrison county, Iowa, locating in this county immediately after the Civil War. He was a prominent man in the history of this county for many years, during which time he took an active part in Republican politics. He was secretary of the Harrison County Fair Association for nearly a score of years and during his active life was always interested in farming. He was a man of sterling character and high ideals, and was universally regarded as one of the most useful members of the community in which he resided for nearly half a century.

Charles W. ODEN was born in Ohio, March 24, 1832, a son of Charles and Hannah (BETTS) ODEN, and died at his home in Harrison county, Iowa, February 13, 1913. His father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and his mother died when he was about six years of age. Later his Grandmother BETTS came to take care of the family until his father married again. Charles ODEN, Sr., was a well-educated man, having been graduated from two or three schools and colleges. He worked as an accountant for several years in the east and in 1857, came to Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, where he lived for a year with his father, who had preceded him and owned and operated a hotel in Newton.

In 1858 Charles W. ODEN located in Shelby county, Iowa, and helped to lay out the present town of Harlan. He remained there until 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Union army in Company C, Twenty-ninth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served in this company as clerk at one time and was finally made quartermaster sergeant. The last year he was made quartermaster of his regiment with the rank of first lieutenant. Immediately after the close of the war Mr. ODEN located in Magnolia, Harrison county, Iowa, where he lived for six months, during which time he bought forty acres in Little Sioux township, just across the river from Little Sioux. He lived on this farm the rest of his life, at the time of his death being the owner of one hundred and thirty-three acres.

In his younger years Mr. ODEN had been a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was a Republican and was deeply interested in the welfare of his party. For twenty years he was actively identified with the Harrison County Fair Association as its secretary, and much of the success of this association was due to his untiring efforts in its behalf. He was a clerk in the MURRY store in Little Sioux from 1874 until 1890, and while in the store had charge of all the banking business of the town until a bank finally was started.

On September 4, 1862, Charles W. ODEN was united in marriage with Hannah J. RANDALL, who was born in Ohio, January 30, 1843, a daughter of David H. and Achsah (APPLETON) RANDALL, natives of Brooks county, Pennsylvania, of Quaker stock. In September, 1848, the parents of Mrs. ODEN located in Clayton county, Iowa, where they lived until 1859. In that year they moved to Harlan, Shelby county Iowa, where her father operated a small store for several years. During the latter part of his life he kept a boarding house and was engaged in this latter business when his death occurred in 1891.

To Charles W. and Hannah J. (RANDALL) ODEN were born four children, all of whom are still living, Achsah, Salome, Xenophon and Charles L. Achsah, who was born October 7, 1866, married Charles MCWILLIAMS, and now lives in Sioux City, Iowa. She has one son, Calvin O. Salome, born July 29, 1868, lives with her uncle in Oklahoma during the winter seasons, and with her mother during the summer. Xenophon, born April 17, 1871, and Charles L., born January 4, 1875, are now farming the old home place in partnership. Xenophon is unmarried. Charles L. married Carrie MURRAY, who was born in Monona county, Iowa, September 30, 1878.

The two sons are progressive farmers and have had charge of the old home place since their father's death. They are both Republicans, but have never aspired to public offices. Charles L. is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while Xenophon is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family are highly esteemed throughout the community where they have lived for so many years, and have many warm friends who admire them for their many good qualities of head and heart.

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