The Odell family, so long occupying a prominent place in the county of Westchester, New York, descend from William Odell, who was of Concord, Massachusetts, 1639. He came to New England with the Rev. Peter Bulkley, who was rector of the parish of Odell in Bedfordshire, England, 1620. William Odell died at Fairfield, Connecticut, June, 1676, and from his sons John and William the Westchester family spring. The family have been eminent in war, politics and business.
Jonathan Odell, the Patriot, great-grandfather of William Odell, owned a large estate in the town of Greenburg, Westchester county, and lived in the old Stone Inn, still standing on the roadside at Albottsford just below Irvington. This old Odell Inn at Albottsford was erected by Captain John Harmse probably as early as 1693. It is noted as having been the building in which a session of the provincial assembly was held August 31, 1776. Jonathan Odell served in Colonel Samuel Drake's regiment, Westchester county militia, as did many of his sons and nephews. He was held a prisoner in the old Sugar House Prison at New York City for a time and suffered much loss of property from the depredations of the British General Vaugh and his troops. Jackson Odell, also a soldier of the revolution, was probably a brother of Jonathan. The line of descent is thus traced.
(I) William Odell, of Concord, Massachusetts.
(II) William (2), son of William (1) Odell, married ———— Vowles.
(III) John, son of William (2) Odell, married Johanna Turner.
(IV) Johannes, son of John Odell, married Johanna Vermilye.
(V) Jackson, son of Johannes Odell, born in Westchester, New York, about 1735, served in the revolutionary war under Colonel Van Cortlandt. He lived and died in his native county, married and left a son, Jackson.
(VI) Jackson (2), son of Jackson (1) Odell, was born in Van Cortlandt, Westchester county, New York, in 1770, died there in middle life. He was a farmer. He married and had children:
- John, of further mention.
- William, a farmer of Peekskill, New York; married Hattie Ten Eyck.
- Gilbert, married Kate Foster.
- Nathan, lived and died a farmer of Westchester county; he married and had issue.
- Sarah, married Hiram Booth.
(VII) John (2), eldest son of Jackson (2) Odell, was born in Van Cortlandt, Westchester county, New York, in 1790, died near Peekskill, New York, in 1845, and is buried with his wife in the old Van Cortlandt churchyard. He was a farmer, a Whig and member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Nancy Foster, born in 1800, died in 1866, daughter of Robert and Martha Foster, both of Westchester county, where they died, leaving children: Nancy, Kate, Phoebe, Charlotte, Ruth, Robert, John and James, all of whom lived to mature years, married and reared families. Children of John and Nancy (Foster) Odell:
- Isaac, died unmarried at the age of twenty-two years.
- Sarah, married Jacob Lent, of Peekskill, New York, both now deceased; children: Arthur and Martha, both married and have families; residence Peekskill.
- Martha, married Elias MacLean, and lived in Peekskill, where they died, leaving
- Jane, who married Captain L. C. Trott.
- John W., of further mention.
(VIII) John W., son of John (2) and Nancy (Foster) Odell, was born on the Odell farm near Peekskill, New York, September 10, 1839. He grew up on the farm, and was educated in the schools of Peekskill. He was reared to habits of industry, and at the age of eleven years was self-supporting. These habits of industry and thrift contributed in a large measure to his success in after life. He was not contented with a farmer's life, and leaving home began teaming and trucking. In this manner he secured a foothold in the business world, and made many friends who were disposed to help a young man of such energy as he displayed. In 1876 he sold his teaming outfit and came to Albany. Here he secured an appointment as special deputy sheriff and held that office eleven years. He saw an opportunity to increase his capital and purchased a small restaurant, which he operated for six years, when he disposed of it at a good profit. His next venture was in a large restaurant at Troy, New York, which he did not long operate, selling out and returning to Albany where he purchased the Globe Hotel Restaurant. Here he successfully continued the catering business for ten years, then retired after eighteen years spent as a caterer. During these years he had prospered and he invested his profits in real estate, to the management of which he now devotes his entire attention. He owns several apartment houses and other business renting dwellings in Albany and has other business interests. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge, Chapter, Temple and Consistory, being a thirty-second degree Mason. Politically he is a Republican. He married (first) in Peekskill, Theodosia Hadden, born in Peekskill Valley, 1849, died in 1886, without issue. He married (second) in Albany, Sarah Coleman, born in Leicestershire, England, daughter of John and Fannie (Turner) Coleman, of old English families. She came to the United States in 1879, and is an earnest member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Albany, as is her husband. He served as steward for several years and since 1906 has been trustee. A handsome memorial window in the church is the gift of John W. and Sarah Odell.