Craft Masonry in Orange and Rockland Counties, New York

Twice married, the first wife of Mr. Odell, who bore the maiden name of Estelle Crist, met her death by drowning in a steamboat
collision on the Hudson River in 1888. Afterward he was united in marriage with Mrs. Linda C. Traphagen, of Newburgh.
Nature bestowed upon Mr. Odell a vigorous mind. He is quick to see an emergency, and equally quick to devise means of
overcoming it. His energy is one of the remarkable traits of his character. To this quality, combined with his large executive ability, is
due his success in every undertaking with which his name is connected. While he has gained success in business and in his social
relations, his prominence is due chiefly to his participation in public affairs. Reared in the faith of the Republican party, he saw no
reason, on arriving at mature years, for changing his political belief; in fact, the history of our country during the past few years has
made him even a stronger advocate of Republican principles than he was before. He instituted the election district association plan
at present in use in Newburgh, and brought the twenty-one associations which compose the city into harmonious working order.
As State Committeeman for his district Mr. Odell rendered efficient service. He was one of the committee to draft the platform of the
party for the campaign of 1890, and served as Super-visor of the Census for the counties of Orange, Rockland, Ulster, Sullivan and
Delaware. As Chairman of the Executive Committee of the New York State Republican Committee, he gained the confidence of his
political associates and established a reputation for efficient work in the party. These influences led to his nomination, October 11,
1894, for Congressman from the Seventeenth District. His popularity was proved by the fact that he was elected to that responsible
position by a majority of more than five thousand in a district hitherto strongly Democratic, his plurality being larger than any
candidate the district has ever received. He entered upon the active discharge of the duties of his office with the best wishes of a
host of friends, and has represented his district in a manner reflecting the highest credit upon himself. A man of foresight and
profound judgment, firm and immovable in his opinions when once formed, a safe counselor, admirably versed in the principles of
wise statesmanship, he will undoubtedly achieve even greater success in the future than he has in the past.
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http://www.straw.ws/jao/pub/jao/8087.htm
Lendone S. Straw, born: 22 Jan 1825, Hopkinton, Merrimack, NH
Vessels and Their Passengers that Sailed from Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Philadelphia to California in 1849: Page
486-489; Bark Suliote, from Belfast, Maine, January 30th: L. S. Straw (this would explain why he does not appear in the household
of his parents in 1850 in Bangor, Maine)
1880 census Newburg, Orange County, NY he is age 53 and a dentist; household includes:
Lendone S. age 53
Mary P. age 42
Linda P. age 10
per History of Hopkinton, NH (C.C. Lord) an obit in the Newburg, NY Journal of August 5, 1884:
"Dr. Samuel B. Straw, the well known dentist of this city, died last evening, aged 83 years. He was born in Hopkinton, NH and came
to Newburg about 17 years ago to join his son, Dr. L.S. Straw, who at that time had been a resident for about ten years. In his early
years Dr. Straw Sr. studied medicine and practised the profession for twelve years before practicing dentistry. At the breaking out of
the rebellion he joined a Maine regiment in the capacity of surgeon, and served with it until he was discharged. He then offered his
services to the governor of NY and was appointed a surgeon at the hospital of Lansingburgh, and afterward at Elmira. While a
resident of Maine he was for a time the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows. During his residence in this city he was
engaged in the profession of dentistry with his son. Dr. Straw was twice married. His first wife was Miss Malinda Colby, of
Hopkinton, NH, by whom he had three children, only one of whom, Dr. L. S. Straw, is now living. His second wife was Miss Hawkins
of Lansingburgh, who survives him. The cause of death, aside from infirmities of old age, was bronchial consumption. The funeral
will take place on Thursday afternoon, from St. Paul's Church; interment in St. George's cemetery. He had been married to Malinda
Colby (1807-1852).
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http://books.google.com/books?id=vIpDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA213&lpg=PA213&dq=%22Jonathan+D.+Wilson%22+%22newburgh%22
&source=bl&ots=v_OHa883P6&sig=2pbPNytlRDv2wsdRmSX-
GD2RYaE&hl=en&ei=gSyeTISSFYL6lweVpIzoCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CCsQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&
q=%22Jonathan%20D.%20Wilson%22%20%22newburgh%22&f=false page 214.
Jonathan D. Wilson [Sr.] is a member of one of our leading firms of masons and builders, which
has in its career of twenty-one years built a considerable number of the houses that constitute the
City of Newburgh. Mr. Wilson was born in Ohio in 1850, and came to Newburgh with the other
members of his family in 1857. He learned his trade with Franklin Gerard, and was a journeyman
at the age of nineteen. He worked one year in New York, and then in 1870 formed a partnership
with his brother, Tilden H. [see below], in this city. They have erected some of our most prominent
buildings, notably the Academy of Music, School No. 6, the Jewish Synagogue, Trinity parsonage,
and the Schaefer, Turner, Dales and Carson business buildings, and many handsome private
residences, in all about three hundred buildings. Many of these they erected on their own account;
South Miller Street was almost entirely built up by them. Mr. Wilson is an important factor in the
local Democratic party, has represented his district in numerous conventions, and was a member
of the Board of Assessors for six years. He is an Odd Fellow and a Free Mason, and was Master
of Newburgh Lodge, F&AM, during the years 1884 and 1885. He married Kate A. Todd, of this
city, in 1874, and has one son [see next biographical sketch].
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