Item

Thomas Turner O’Dell, Merchant

Standard
Dec 21/1870
We notice that a new extension is in course of construction from the Railway near the old Steamboat wharf below Messrs. Odell and Turner’s property to Robinson’s Wharf, formerly known as Aymar’s. Mr. Robinson is also having his store, recently occupied as the Telegraph Office and Aymar’s Store, fitted up for a large wholesale and retail mercantile establishment.

Standard
Dec 28/1870
Review of year, esp. NB&C Railway problem. See photocopy.
Never perhaps did a year open with gloomier prospects ahead for us, than that which is drawing to a close; never were gloomy anticipations more agreeably disappointed.
            In December last, notice was given by the manager of the NB&C Railway, that the running of the trains over this end of the Line would be discontinued after December 31 Standard of last year. That announcement raised such a howl of indignation throughout the whole Eastern section of the County, that both the Manager and his prompters deemed it judicious to yield to it, and the trains were after a short interval run as usual. The long continued series of attempts, covert and open, of a half a dozen men in St. Stephen to utterly annihilate our track reached its climax in the announcement referred to. Owing to the public spirit of half a dozen men in the community, this grand final effort of theirs was defeated. To that plucky half dozen too much credit cannot be given, for we believe their efforts turned the tide in our favor, at the most critical point in the history of the Town. The great development of communication with the interior will render any similar attempt impossible, in future; henceforth we will have the whole of the upper Saint John River counties as our allies in the “Battle of the Towns.”
            At the beginning of the year, both Town and Country were still labouring under the effects of the terrible storm which had but lately swept over our county, carrying death and destruction with it. Trade was dull—“nothing doing’ was the complaint of the day. The croakers were predicting ruin, desolation and the speedy arrival of the time when our houses would be abandoned to the owls and bats, and our streets to be beats of the forest. The hopeful scarcely believing their own words, maintained that something would turn up. Northing tremendous or unusual did turn up,, and the ruin and desolation never came; and now on reviewing the course of events since that time, we can safely say that few towns in NB have during that period enjoyed more general prosperity and business success than St. Andrews.
            Our labourers and mechanics have found ample employment at good wages, throughout the year. Our merchants report trade as having been good and increasing; they have supplied the people with goods at as low rates as they can be purchased in any town in the Province. Our trade with the Islands has largely increased, as also the Dry goods trade with St. Stephen and St. George. Messrs. Odell and Turner, whose stock is not surpassed in the County, Stevenson, Magee, Bradley and others, can show large and well selected stocks in their line. Real Estate has increased in value, houses are in demand. There is not a vacant tenement of the better class, for which more than one bid has not been offered. There is more money in the Savings’ Bank than at any pervious time in its history. The fact speaks for itself; we have nothing like poverty in our midst; and all this if we are “a race of paupers.”
            The past season has been a remarkably unhealthy one in North America, but sickness has not come nigh our dwellings to any uncommon extent. Temperance has spread her banner, and flourishes in our midst, and to her we owe much, very much. Our good old town is a quiet place; life and property are perfectly safe with us; we need no policemen.
            If even our St. Stephen friends think of moving, we invite them to come this way and taste of our good things, and they will find that, despite the utterances of unprincipled Christians, we are no heathens, and that St. Andrews is just as good a site for a terrestrial paradise as can be found.

Standard
July 7/1875
Anna P. Odell launched at Indian Point. 380 ton brigantine. James Starkey’s yard. Owners Stinson, T. T. Odell, A. Lamb, Capt. Wren, Capt. Outhouse, J. M. Hanson, and Robinson and Glenn.

Pilot
Aug 22, 1878
Jottings on the Street, No. 10
Our perambulatory jottings on Water Street bring us down to the large Wholesale and Retail Store of “Odell and Turner.” The old firm name remains, but our “Warden Odell” is the presiding genius of this excellent establishment.
            A stranger visiting SA, would not suppose that the town and adjoining parishes cold afford sufficient patronage to a store so large and so well stocked with such a costly line of goods—but, the Store is here, and commands an extensive trade. Customers outside of charlotte County find it advantageous to purchase their goods in SA; and more stores than Mr. Odell’s, if conducted as his is, would, also, probably find that St. Andrews affords a favourable location for trade.

Standard
April 9/1879
The old “International” has been thoroughly renovated--painted, papered, and altered, and a large ell will be added. Mr. Kennedy expects to open his hotel next week. . . . His new premises are nearly opposite the Manchester House, and centrally located. (Clothing store, owned by Odell and Turner)

Pilot
Jan 15, 1885
There has been recorded at the record office, a lease from the Municipality of charlotte Co. to Jessie Brickson, of that lot of land on the western commons, the lease of which up to the date of the transfer, Nov. 13, 1884, was held by Moses Stewart. There has been also recorded a mortgage on said lot dated November 14th, 1884, given by the before mentioned Jessie Brickson to Thomas Turner Odell for the sum of two hundred dollars payable in two years from date with interest at eight percent

Pilot
June 9, 1887
Complete list of taxpayers and rates. Moses Stewart there. T. T. Odell is the biggest by a huge margin.

Beacon
June 5/1890
Chamcook Lakes. Home of big trout and bigger salmon. Article. First stocked 12 years ago. Up to within a recent period the people of St. Andrews and vicinity enjoyed a monopoly of these lakes, but as their reputation extended their circle of patrons became wider. Last year a great many Americans and upper Canadians fished in Chamcook waters, and from present indications the number of outside sportsmen who will favor the lakes with their presence this season will be far ahead of any previous year. There are now half a dozen fishing lodges in the neighborhood. Mr. Haviland, of New York, has a very unique log cabin in close proximity to the dam. Dr. Gove, Messrs. Odell, Glenn and others have also houses in the same vicinity. On the island, in the first lake, Mr. T. T. Odell built during the winter a neat little fishing lodge, and this season eh will occupy it for the first time. Farther up the lake, Mr. William B. Hayford, of Saint John, has a very neat cottage erected. Its completion was only accomplished a few weeks ago.

Beacon
March 26/1891
In the death of Mr. T. Turner O’Dell, which occurred somewhat suddenly on Saturday afternoon, St. Andrews has lost one of its oldest citizens and one of its wealthiest merchants. Mr. Odell was an Englishmen by birth, and when quite young came to NB and became a clerk with his uncle, Mr. Thomas Turner, in the dry goods business at St. Andrews. Proving himself a capable man, he was subsequently admitted as a partner, and on Mr. Tuner’s death he assumed the full control of the business, which by the aid of his two sons, he has since carried on quite successfully. Mr. Odell took quite an active interest in municipal affairs at one time, being for period Warden of the County, but ill-health and other circumstances have of late tended towards his leading a more private life.  By the failure of the Maritime Bank he lost in the neighborhood of $18,000. This was a heavy blow to him, and no doubt tended to some degree to hasten his end. The immediate cause of his death was an affection of the heart, from which he had been suffering for some time. He was able to be out on Election Day and cast his vote, but since then he had been confined to his house. Although very poorly, his immediate dissolution was not looked for, and when the intelligence of his death was made public on Saturday afternoon, no little surprise was expressed. The deceased leaves a widow two sons and two daughters, for whom sincerely sympathy will be felt. Mr. Odell was in his 6th year. His funeral on Monday afternoon was attended quite largely.

Beacon
July 25, 1901
What a charming picture for an artist is the Algonquin golf links on a sunshiny day. The fantastic costumes of the players scattered over the verdant field, the nimble caddies hastening hither and thither, and the picturesque surrounding of river and by and town, make up a scene that is truly inspiring. The roll of players this year includes:--
Gentlemen—N. A. Cliff, C. A. Richardson, R. B. Van Horne, Vern Lamb, T. T. Odell. J. smith, W. W. Watson, H. F. Hinckley, Dr. A. E Ham, Justice Street, A. E. Benson, Charles Holt, G. R. Hooper, Edward Burke, T. P. Curtis, J. H. Allen, J. D. Randall, We. B. Wendell, George Ethridge, T. J. Morrison, Rev. At. T. Bowser, Henry Reed Bowser, T. R. Wheelock G. M. Wheelock, T. G Wheelock, Jr. R. Fletcher, Dean Sills.
Ladies—Miss E. V. Ludlam, Miss Wendell, Miss Van Horne, Miss Hazen, Miss E. H. Smith, Mrs. Charles Allen, Miss Gardiner, Miss Benson, Miss R. Benson, Mrs. Charles Holt, Miss Williams, Mrs. George Ethridge, Mrs. J. H. Allen, Mrs. Nathan A. Woodlin, Miss Inness, Miss Sweetland, Mrs. J. B. Fletcher, Miss M. A. Sills.

Beacon
Aug 8/1901
Governor-General’s Visit
SA Extends the Glad Hand to King Edward’s Representative
Address and Reception. Pleasant Drive and Sail. The Vice-Regal Party Delighted
Royal weather attended the visitors of the vice-regal party to Charlotte County on Thursday last; indeed, had the reception committee the making of the weather they could not have provided a more pleasing article.
            His Excellency and party first visited SS, where they were regally entertained by Mayor Murchie and members of the Council. After a drive about St. Stephen and its beautiful suburbs, they returned to the train and steamed towards St. Andrews.
            It was well on to 7:30 in the evening before the vice-regal train reached the shiretown. When the governor general’s private car came to a stop in front of the station door, the members of the citizen’s reception committee were on hand to extend a greeting to them. Fully one thousand people on foot and in carriages were also assembled, hoping to get a glimpse of the distinguished visitors. A guard of fourteen sturdy sailors from the D. C. Curlew, in command of Capt. Pratt and officers Cameron and Kyffin, was drawn up on the platform. When His Excellency emerged, the guard presented arms, after which the St. George band played a few strains of the national anthem. Then His Excellency and Lady Minto were introduced to the members of the reception committee by the chairman. This ceremony performed, the vice-regal party entered the waiting carriages, and preceded by the St. George band, playing lively music, and accompanied by the marine guard, were driven towards the court house.
            The route to the courthouse was lined by hundreds of people, who have vent to their feelings by enthusiastically applauding the visitors. The Governor-General and Lady Minto were delighted with the cordiality of the reception. The splendid music of the band also drew from them many flattering comments.
            On arriving at the court-house, the guard of honor was drawn up at the entrance to receive His Excellency. As the doors were thrown open, a blaze of glory was revealed. All about the eastern end of the room flags and bunting were gracefully draped and blended, while the space usually occupied by the barristers’ table was turned into a beautiful garden, in which rare house plants were artistically displayed. The elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen who composed the choir and who occupied the judge’s platform, made a fitting foregro9und for the beautiful scene.
            As his Excellency stepped over the threshold, the grand old strains of Britain’s national anthem, sung by the choir, assisted by the Algonquin orchestra, greeted his ears.
            [speeches here]
            Among those who were presented to His Excellency and Lady Minto were the following:
            Gentlemen: Sir William Van Horne, The Mayor of Toronto, Rev. Dean Sills (Portland), Dr. William Watson (Utica, NY), Rev. John Allan, Rev. Calvin Currie, Dr. J. Wade, Justice Street (Toronto), High Sheriff Stuart, Mr. George Mowatt, G. Hibbard, John Magee, William Watson, Frank Kennedy, Donald MacMaster, Frank Allen, T. R. Wren, Thomas Armstrong, F. R. Grimmer, T. T. Odell, R. E. Armstrong, P. G. Hanson

Beacon
Sept 18/1902
Odell Bros.
Department Store
There are no commercial enterprises that add so much to the importance of any town, as the department stores of the present day. St. Andrews is not behind the times in this respect, as may be seen by a visit to the establishment conducted by Messrs. Odell Bros. The business was originally founded away back in 1825 by John Odell. It was then for many years carried on b the late T. Turner Odell, who conducted it until 1891 when, at his death, Messrs. T. T. and E. Odell assumed control, under the firm name of Odell Bros. the premises occupied are very large and include three floors of a building 85 x 30 feet in dimensions which are filled to repletion with a varied assortment of merchandise, consisting of all kinds of dry and fancy goods, ladies’ garments, dress good, ladies and gentlemen’s’ furnishings, small wares, ready made clothing for men and boys, hats and caps, carpets, furniture, and a thousand and one articles too numerous to itemize and found only in a first class establishment of the kind. Messrs. T. T. and E. Odell are both natives of SA, and were reared and educated here.

Beacon
May 9/1907
Mr. T. T. O’Dell is having plans drawn up for a handsome residence. It will be of colonial design, and well erected will be a creditable addition to the own residences.

Beacon
Sept 19/1907
Colonial Cottage
The dwelling which Mr Thomas Odell proposes erecting next spring on his lot of land opposite Mr. Thomas Armstrong’s home, will be one of the finest example of colonial architecture in St. Andrews. The plans, prepared by Neil Brodie, architect, of Saint John, [not Maxwell?] disclose a dwelling at once elegant in design and convenient in arrangement. It will be two stories in height. The front, which will face toward the harbor, will have a small verandah on the corner and also a balcony on the second storey. The ground floor will contain a large vestibule and hall, with a comfortable fireplace at its father extremity, also a commodious drawing room, diningroom, kitchen, etc. The second floor has five or six sleeping rooms of good size, busies two bathrooms. The rear of the house on Montague Street will be plain. The basement entrance also to the rear door will be on this street.

Beacon
Nov 5/1908
One of the most beautiful homes in St. Andrews is now in course of construction for Mr. T. T. Odell. It is framed and roofed, and the interior ready for plastering. Mr. Angus Rigby has the contract in hand. The architect is Mr. Neil Brodie, of Saint John.

Beacon
Dec 10/1908
The Stately Homes of SA
Among the “stately homes” of St. Andrews none is more strikingly beautiful, or more comfortably and substantially constructed than the one now being completed near the railway station for Mr. Thomas T. Odell. The plans for the beautiful dwelling were drawn by Mr Brodie, the well known architect of Saint John, and they have been most carefully executed by the St. Andrews artisans who were entrusted with its construction. The style of architecture is of the Colonial order. In front, facing the west, there is a pillared verandah of semi-circular pattern. Opening the front door one enters a broad vestibule with tiled floor. Beyond this is the reception hall, 14 feet wide by 18 feet long, with a comfortable fireplace at the farther extremity. On the left is the library, octagonal shaped, which is likewise provided with a fireplace. On the right is the drawing room, whose bay window opens out on a verandah on the southern side. Connected with this apartment by folding doors is the dining room, which has also got a comfortable fireplace. The butler’s pantry is located between the dining room and kitchen. Beneath the stairway is a lavatory.
            On the second floor are five large bedrooms with two bathrooms.  The attic, which contains sleeping rooms, store room, tank room, etc., is all finished. The house is piped for steam and acetylene gas. It is most substantially built, every care having been taken in the selection and placing of the timbers. The external appearance of the house with its tasteful railed and broad piazzas, its graceful dormer windows, and its classic coloring of canary and white, is very striking indeed. The views from the various floors are very fine, particularly from the upper rooms.
            The carpenter work has bee well carried out by Angus Rigby and Sons; the mason work and plastering by Charles Horsnell; plumbing by Goodwill Douglass; painting by Albert Shaw, steel roofing by John P. Stoddard.
            The home will be ready for occupation in the spring.

Beacon
May 30/1912
Old “bank” building which for fifty years stood alongside brick building at Queen and Frederick, purchased by Wm. McKinney of Woodstock and moved to his lot opposite Beacon office. Building originally built by Charles Wardlaw as bank. Bank of North American had office there for several years. G. D. Grimmer and T. T. Odell clerks there.

Beacon
Nov 7/1912
Three Norwegian youths, in a semi-intoxicated condition, were seen to pocket a number of articles in Thomas Odell’s store, the other afternoon, while the proprietor’s back was turned. When Mr. Odell heard of it he went through the pockets of two of them, and succeeded in recovering some gloves and neckties.  The third man escaped.

St. Croix Courier
April 19/1923
“At a largely attended meeting on Wed of last week, the St. Andrews Tourist Association was formed for the purpose of providing a camping ground equipped with all the conveniences for tourists. A large, well-lighted dancing pavilion will be erected and an orchestra will be in attendance on certain nights of the week. The site of the camping ground was selected at Indian Point, which overlooks the beautiful Passamaquoddy Bay and where boating and bathing can be enjoyed. Officers: Pres. W. S. Kennedy; Secretary-Treasurer J. W. Mallory; Executive, Major W. Worrell, A. B. O’Neill (father of W. C.?), G. M. Byron, S. Anning and T. T. Odell. This organization is the first of its kind to be started in NB.”

St. Croix Courier
October 22/1942
Shiretown Items
Old Landmark Passing: The T. T. Odell Dry Goods Store is closing down permanently at the end of this month. The store carried a large stock of finest dry goods and everything the housewife required by way of knickknacks. It will be greatly missed by the townspeople. The clerks, Miss Emily Donoghue and Miss Ethel Richardson, have done a rushing business since the public became informed of the closing, but it would take several months to sell the entire stock over the counter.