Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 49

Since 1893 George F. Odell has been a resident of the town of Congers, New York, while his place of business is in Yonkers. In both of these thriving little cities he is very well known and occupies a prominent place as a citizen. As an active member of the Citizens' Land Improvement Association of Congers he has forwarded the interests of the town, and is recognized as one who is thoroughly patriotic, striving ever that the communities with which his life is connected may be sent onward on the road to progress. He was one of the leaders in the movement to organize the association above mentioned at Congers, and has been the chairman of the same for three years. Not waiting for others, he has initiated and brought about numerous works of improvement there, and has ably seconded many enterprises which have materially benefited the place.

For years an able and efficient worker in the Republican party, he founded a club in Congers. At first it comprised but ten members, but the zeal and energy of Mr. Odell on behalf of the party and the constantly growing population of the town have wonderfully aided the club, which now, at the end of two years' existence, boasts of over one hundred members. The efforts of Mr. Odell have secured the opening of several new streets and the paving of many; the proper organization of the town under an approved system of administration, regular departments, etc. No more fitting man could have been found for the honor and position of postmaster there, and it was an appointment which was hailed with pleasure by the majority of the citizens of Congers, when, in 1898, he was chosen for the office. He has frequently attended conventions of his party, and has often gone in the capacity of a delegate.

A son of James B. Odell, and born during the civil war, George F. Odell is in the prime of manhood. His birth-place was in Yonkers, and the date of his advent on the stage of human existence February 20, 1863. After he had completed a liberal education in the public schools of this place he entered the Yale College Preparatory School here, his plan then being to enter the medical profession later. This idea, however, he abandoned, and for two years he engaged in the steam job printing business with William P. Constable, of the firm of Odell & Constable. The six years following he traveled representing the Van Derveer & Holmes Biscuit Company of New York city, and in 1895 he opened a wholesale biscuit business on his own account in Yonkers, and has since handled the wares of the National Biscuit Company, dealing in the same in wholesale quantities. He has met with the business success which he eminently deserves, and on account of his health was compelled to retire from the business, so sold out to the National Biscuit Company and now has located in Congers in the real-estate and insurance-brokerage business, which is meeting with success. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order as a member of Rising Star Lodge, No. 450, F. & A. M. Moreover, he is connected with John C. Shotts Camp, sons of veterans; with the Knights of Honor, and the Lincoln Legion, a political and social organization; also is an honorary member of the Congers fire department. In his religious belief he is a Methodist, a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Yonkers.

The marriage of Mr. Odell and Miss Emma K. Graham, of King's Bridge, New York city, was solemnized April 22,. 1889. Two little daughters grace their union, namely: Helen Ruth and Wilhelmina Catherine.