Caleb Herbert Odell (1879-1944)

Odell, Caleb Herbert, manufacturer, was born in New York City, May 27, 1879, son of William Henry and Mary Margaret (Campbell) Odell and cousin of George W. Odell (q.v. for ancestry).

His paternal grandfather, Caleb Sherwood Odell, and the latter's brother, John Henry, after spending several years in the employ of Ferris and Stewart, a New York organ building firm, went into the same business for themselves in 1859, under the name of Odell Bros.

The house which they founded became famous for the tonal and mechanical excellence of their pipe organs which are to be found in hundreds of churches, chapels and synagogues, concert halls, fraternal halls, schools, convents and private residences throughout the United States.

Caleb H. Odell was educated in the public schools of New York City and at the College of the City of New York. Meanwhile he studied music and became an accomplished organist, pianist and composer, and when he was sixteen was teaching music. His compositions included a campaign march, written for William McKinley's second campaign for President.

In 1899, he entered the employ of J.H. & C.S. Odell, starting in the factory in order to learn the business thoroughly. Later he was responsible for the manufacture of the pipe organ. He became a partner in the firm in 1911.

Caleb H. Odell was the inventor of several important improvements in the Odell organ, notably the Odell electro-magnetic system of electric action [his double-primary pitman chest --Ed.], which he perfected in 1914, after years of research and experimentation. Since then improvements in this type of action have been made, taking advantage of the progress of electrical knowledge.

Caleb H. Odell was a director of the Zephyr Organ Blower sales Corp., vice-president of the Hillview Community Association of Yonkers, NY, where he resided, and was a member of the Royal Arcanum. Active in community, philanthropic and church affairs, he was a parishioner at Mile Square Reformed Church at Yonkers. Politically his affiliation was with the Republican party.

He was married in New York City, October 4, 1905, to Matilda Christine, daughter of Joseph Weber, a printer, of that city; they had four children: Maybelle Virginia, who married James William Hopkin; William Herbert; Joseph Franklin, and Harry Edward Odell. Caleb H. Odell's death occurred in Yonkers, NY, on October 3, 1944.

- reprinted From the National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Volume XXXIII