NEWTON J.ODELL, grain dealer, Fairfield, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Odell, of Barnhill Township, was born in Wayne County, Ill., in February, 1840, and was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools of the country.
Like so many others of Wayne County's noble men, he responded to the call of the Government by enlisting in Company H, Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in January, 1862. For two years he was a noncommissioned officer in his company, and was mustered out in August, 1865. with the commission of First Lieutenant, having re-enlisted at the expiration of three years. He participated in much of active service, including the siege and battle of Corinth, Miss., siege of Vicksburg, . battle of Mission Ridge and many other engagements, participating in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark.
Returning to Wayne County, he followed farming one year, and in the fall of 1866 was elected to the office of County Sheriff, and was the first Republican Sheriff ever elected in the county. For the next five or six years he was engaged in merchandising with J. W. Tullis.
He was married, in Fairfield, Ill., February 8, 1874, to Frances P Shaeffer, daughter of William and Maria Shaeffer, of Fairfield. She was born in Wayne, County, Ill., January 31,1851. They had two children, one of whom is deceased.
Mr. Odell is an advocate of temperance, and a member of R. T. of T. and of the Christian Church.
His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
He is now and for some years has been engaged in the grain trade at Fairfield.
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