History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

WILLIAM ODELL AND FAMILY                     1861
Milton Odell

     Not much is known of William Odell's ancestry. He probably was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was born near Purdy, East Tennessee, Nov. 30th, 1833. His mother died when he was three years old. A year or two after this he moved with his father to the state of Missouri where he grew to manhood. When he was ten years of age he lost his father who was killed by being kicked by a horse, From that time on he had to make his way through life without very much help. He got the "Go West" fever quite early in life, crossing the plains in 1853, driving an ox team from St. Joe to Sacramento, Cal. He located in Placerville and during the next six or seven years engaged in mining. This did not pan out very well from a financial standpoint so he sold his claim, receiving $700 for it, which amount represented his entire earnings for seven years of hard work. In the meantime he had become acquainted with a young man by the name of Turner, and they decided to run up and take a look at the Oregon country, with the idea of again trying their luck at mining or possibly of going into the stock business. When they got into Portland however, they heard so much about Hood River, they decided to go on up there and see the place for themselves. They landed at Hood River early in August 1861. After looking the valley over they were so impressed with its beauty, that they decided to look no further for a place to locate. Father bought a squatters right to 160 acres of land from a man by the name of Butler, paying $300 for the claim. Turner also bought a claim from a man by the name of Wm. Moss. Both these places were located on the east side of Hood River. The Turner place in the Pine Grove district near Van Horn, and Father's place near the present town of Odell, the town being named in his honor. This became the old home place where Father and Mother lived during the balance of their lives and where all their children were born. Mother's maiden name was Diana Neal and she was the daughter of Peter and Mahaly Neal, Oregon Pioneers of 1844. Father and Mother were married in April, 1862. Nathaniel Coe performed the marriage ceremony. She was born at Salem Oregon 1848. There were seven children in Father's family, as follows: Milton D., James A., Emma Catherine, Charles P., Lee T., William Jr., and Lucy J., all of whom except the writer have crossed the great divide.
     Father never had much chance to go to school; twelve months altogether, was all the schooling he ever had, but notwithstanding this handicap he was fairly well educated and always took a great deal of interest in educational matters. He was a member of the first school board of the first organized school district on the East Side of Hood River. This was in 1871.
     Warren G. Gooddell was the first teacher. He received $60 for a term of three months. The money was raised by unpopular subscription. The law at the time was such that newly organized school districts had to be financed the first year from private sources; after which they shared in the regular state and county apportionments. Father never cared for public office but I cannot remember the time when he was not a member of the school board. The Odell Grade School is built on land donated by him for that purpose. He was Justice of the Peace for a number of years and served one term as County Commissioner of Wasco County.
     He was one of the most hospitable men I have ever known. He never was known to do a dishonorable thing. When he died in 1891 he was followed to his last resting place by a long procession of friends that was a splendid tribute to his worth as a neighbor and citizen.

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