PIONEER CITIZEN PASSES AWAY.
Joseph William Odell Summoned by the death angel.
The Clarksburg Telegram., September 12, 1902
Joseph William Odell died at his home at 663 West Pike street at two o’clock Tuesday morning, September 9, 1902, from old age. He had been in failing health several months but was confined to his room only a short time.
While his physical condition has been poor so many months, yet his demise came as a shock to his many friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Odell was in his seventy-seventh year. He was born near Winchester, Va. He moved from that state to Kingwood and came from that place to this city about 1851.
He was a cabinet maker by trade and followed that when he first came here. During the Civil War and a few years there after he conducted a grocery and furniture business and with his son, Clarence R., was thus engaged at the time of his demise.
As a business man he was thoroughly reliable and honorable in all his transactions. His word was as good as a bond.
The deceased was a deacon in the First Baptist Church at the time of his death and had served in that capacity about half a century. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than fifty years and was one of the founders of Herman Lodge here. He was also one of the organizers of the Baptist Church. Both his church and lodge work was faithfully performed.
Mr. Odell married Susan L. Rector in early life. She survives him. She is a sister of Rev. Daniel W. Rector, of this city. The surviving children are Oren H. Odell, of Kansas City, MO.; William Edgar Odell, of California, Milton L. Odell, of Cincinnati; and Clarence Rector Odell, of this city. One son Joseph Daniel, died thirty years ago.
The stricken widow and sons have the deepest sympathy in this hour of grief, and the death of this husband and father and most excellent citizen is mourned by all our citizens. A good man has gone to his reward in Heaven.
The minutes of the Baptist Church show that he was ordained as a deacon December 18, 1858. He was the senior deacon at the time of his death.
The funeral will be held at his late residence this Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Revs. R. B. McDanel and S. K. Arbuthnot will conduct the services. The last sad rites will be performed by the local lodge of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member. Internment will be made in the I. O. O. F. Cemetery.
Oren H. Odell arrived from Kansas City, MO., this morning to attend the funeral.
Mr. Odell’s Will Filed.
The Clarksburg Telegram., October 31, 1902
A. J. Williams has qualified as administrator of Charles O. Martin, deceased, bond, $500; appraisers, A. D. Corpening, Thomas H. Kenney and Joseph McElfresh.
The will of Joseph W. Odell has been filed for probate. The testator bequeathed his entire estate, real and personal, to his wife, Susan J. Odell, for and during her natural life time, and after her death what is left is bequeathed one-fourth to Orren H. Odell, one-fourth to Milton L. Odell, one-fourth to Clarence R. Odell, all sons of the testator; and the remaining one-fourth to William E. Odell, his son, and Beulah Odell and Lovell Odell, his grand children.
Mrs. Susan J. Odell was named as executrix but she declines and asks for the appointment of C. R. Odell as administrator. The will was made January 29, 1902.
