one hundred members. The efforts of Mr. Odell have secured the opening of several new streets and the paving of many; the proper organization of the town under an approved system of administration, regular departments, etc. No more fitting man could have been found for the honor and position of postmaster there, and it was an appointment which was hailed with pleasure by the majority of the citizens of Congers, when, in 1898, he was chosen for the office. He has frequently attended conventions of his party, and has often gone in the capacity of a delegate.
A son of James B. Odell, and born during the civil war, George F. Odell is in the prime of manhood. His birth-place was in Yonkers, and the date of his advent on the stage of human existence February 20, 1863. After he had completed a liberal education in the public schools of this place he entered the Yale College Preparatory School here, his plan then being to enter the medical profession later. This idea, however, he abandoned, and for two years he engaged in the steam job printing business with William P. Constable, of the firm of Odell & Constable. The six years following he traveled representing the Van Derveer & Holmes Biscuit Company of New York city, and in 1895 he opened a wholesale biscuit business on his own account in Yonkers, and has since handled the wares of the National Biscuit Company, dealing in the same in wholesale quantities. He has met with the business success which he eminently deserves, and on account of his health was compelled to retire from the business, so sold out to the National Biscuit Company and now has located in Congers in the real-estate and insurance-brokerage business, which is meeting with success. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order as a member of Rising Star Lodge, No. 450, F. & A. M. Moreover, he is connected with John C. Shotts Camp, sons of veterans; with the Knights of Honor, and the Lincoln Legion, a political and social organization; also is an honorary member of the Congers fire department. In his religious belief he is a Methodist, a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Yonkers.
The marriage of Mr. Odell and Miss Emma K. Graham, of King's Bridge, New York city, was solemnized April 22,. 1889. Two little daughters grace their union, namely: Helen Ruth and Wilhelmina Catherine.
LEVINESS, DANIEL D.
Daniel D. Leviness, a retired farmer of Scarsdale, Westchester county, New York, is one the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the community, having passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He was born October 30, 1817, and is a native of the town of Greenburg, as were his parents. His father, Gershorn Leviness, was born in 1794, and was married to Phoebe Tompkins, who was born in 1793. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Becca Ann, who married Edward LeFurgy; Phebe Jane, wife of Gilbert Lawrence; Mary Elizabeth, who became the wife of John LeFurgy and after his death married Jasper Devoe; Frances Caroline, wife of Andrew Olson; John Wesley, who married Hannah Taylor; Sarah Esther, wife of Alexander Taylor; and Abigail Adelia, wife of David Quick. The Leviness family originated in France, and the paternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph Leviness, who married Elizabeth Sherwood. The maternal grandparents were Nathan and Effie Tompkins. Gershorn Leviness died July 16, 1882.
Daniel Leviness spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and attended the district school of the neighborhood. When he was fourteen years of age his father rented a farm and through the summer months he assisted in its cultivation, while in the winter season he pursued his studies. He was thus employed for two years, when he secured work as a farm hand. He was employed in that capacity for four years, during which time he gave his wages to his father. The latter then purchased a farm and Daniel Leviness worked for him until his death occurred, in 1882. Two years before his demise he gave a part of the farm to our subject and said that if it had not been for Daniel he would never have owned a farm. Throughout his life Daniel D. Leviness has thus carried on agricultural pursuits. His diligent attention to his work insured him good crops, while his profits were judiciously invested until he now rests secure in the knowledge that he has sufficient means to enable him to spend his last days in comfort and plenty.
In 1881 Mr. Leviness was united in marriage to Miss Alletta Olsen, who died in 1892. He is a Republican in his political views, and has always taken an active interest in state and county politics, but has not been an aspirant for office. He is a firm believer in the gold standard and expressed, his opinion by casting his vote William McKinley in 1896. He is an honored member of the Reformed church of Greenburg, and although in his eighty-second year is a remarkably bright gentleman who has retained the possession of all his faculties.
WILSON, WILLIAM M.
There is no denying the fact that austere virtue leads to the greatest degree of happiness, and that in the case of the Wilson family it has also led. to those great concomitants of happiness, — longevity, business ability and success generally.
Mr. Wilson, who has now for the past fourteen or fifteen years been Et retired resident of Mount Vernon, enjoying in the evening of life the happy results of a life well spent, was born March 16, 1820, in Colchester county, Nova Scotia, where his grandfather, William Wilson, was one of the first settlers, after England had gained possession of the dominion from the French. He was a farmer from Londonderry, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and his adherence to Presbyterianism was of the most zealous type, although in his manner he was quiet and unassuming. He married Esther Reid and had seven sons and three daughters, — Samuel, William, John, Henry, Frank, Robert, James, Hannah, Mary and Esther, — all of whom lived to be nearly a hundred years old, their ages aggregating eight hundred and seventy-six years! Their mother died at the age of one hundred years.
The father of William M. was James Wilson, who was born in Nova Scotia, was a farmer, owning a considerable amount of land, married Elizabeth Staples' and had thirteen children. All the sons engaged in agricultural pursuits for their life's calling. He departed this life in the year 1888, at the age of ninety-five years, in Nova Scotia. His children were: John, born July 5, 1816; Rachel, June 25, 1818; William M., March 16, 1820 (our subject); Robert, November 20, 1822; Easter, February 3, 1824; Jane S., October 6, 1825; Matthew, September 17, 1827; Mary C, June 5, 1830; Jervis, August 21, 1832; David, April 24, 1835; James, May 11, 1837; Sidney, October 13, 1839; and Junius R., January 18, 1840. The youngest died at the age of eleven years, but all the rest grew up to years of maturity. Their mother died at the age of seventy-four years.
Mr. William M. Wilson, the subject proper of this record, received his education in a private school, but being the eldest of the sons his work was of such a nature that he could not attend regularly. He remained an inmate of the parental home until he was twenty-one and a half years of age, when he left for the great metropolis, New York, with only sixty cents in money! There, among strangers, he was to seek his fortune and make his own way in the world. Learning the trade of carpenter, in which he soon became highly skilled, he followed that vocation for several years, when he began taking contracts for building and also engaged in speculating, buying lots and improving and selling them. Both in his contract work and his improvement of lots for sale he was signally successful, maintaining meanwhile the highest degree of credit and honor.
In 1884 he moved to Mount Vernon, which beautiful city has since been his place of residence, and here he has built a number of residences, including his own, he being his own architect. He has led a very active and busy life, but for the last fifteen years he has practically retired from the heavy duties and responsibilities of business. As a diversion he keeps a "spanking" team of trotters, his tastes leading him rather to out-door recreation.
In his views of national policies he is a Republican; and in his religious convictions he has been a decided and zealous member of the Baptist church ever since he was nine years of age, showing religious inclination even as early as the age of six. His piety is deep, his religious principles definite, positive and strong, and his church relations have ever been the most pleasant. He was a trustee of the Baptist church on Forty-second street, in New York city, and is now a trustee and deacon of the Mount Vernon Baptist church.
June 18, 1848, he was united in matrimony
