H. N. Odbert

H. N. ODBERT, borough treasurer of Monessen, and one of the prominent and influential factors in the financial and industrial enterprises of the borough, is a native of Belleville. Washington county, Pennsylvania, born September 17, 1866, son of Arthur and Caroline (Newkirk) Odbert, both deceased, who were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. Arthur Odbert was a successful merchant, a man who took a deep interest in educational and religious affairs, serving as a member of the school board for twenty-seven years. and active in the interests of the Methodist Episcopal church.

H. N. Odbert was reared in Belleville, educated in the common schools, learned the trades of carpentering and photography, and is now engaged in the real estate business. In 1900 he removed to Monessen, having purchased two years previously a lot on Danner avenue, between Fourth and Fifth streets, for which he paid $532.50, this property at the present time (1905) being valued at anywhere between six to ten thousand dollars, which clearly demonstrates the wonderful increase in the value of real estate in that borough during the last few years. Upon this lot Mr. Odbert erected, in 1899, a three-story brick building for business purposes, which was at that time the most pretentious building in the borough, he occupying the upper part or third story for a photograph gallery, which business he conducted for some years. He then disposed of the same, and since then has devoted the greater part of his time and attention to the real estate business. He has been active in real state operations, having erected five or six houses for private residences. January 1, 1906, he purchased the hardware store on the corner of Fifth and Donner avenues. known as the Shell Hardware Company, and known at the present writing as the Monessen Hardware Company. He was one of the organizers and original stockholders in the Peoples' National Bank of Monessen, and was one of the original board of directors, serving in that capacity at the present time. He has taken a keen interest in the conduct of the affairs of the borough, and is row serving his second term as city treasurer, having been elected on the Republican ticket. He is one of the live, broad-minded men of this part of Westmoreland county, and stands for all that is just and upright, full- deserving the success which has attended his well-directed efforts. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Monessen, in which he serves as trustee and steward, and to the support of which he contributes most liberally. Mr. Odbert married, April 27, 1890, Emma J. Walker, of Mount Pleasant, Ohio, daughter of Elias and Frances H. Walker. Two children have been the issue of this marriage: Frances and Ivan Odbert.  

Source: Page(s) 255-256, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed August 2008 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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