A biography[2] states that J. R. O'Donnell was born in 1857 in Washington Co., OH, and came to a logging camp in Hoquiam, WA in 1885. He moved to Elma, WA, in 1886 and was employed in 1887-1888 as a timber cruiser by the Northern Pacific Railroad. He was appointed postmaster of Elma in 1889 and joined Dr. Hill in the drug business and later became active in the hardware trade. (Dr. Henry G. Hill was Flora's half-brother's father-in-law.) He sold out and started a general store, which he kept until about 1902. In December, 1902, he was one of the organizers of the White Star Lumber Co., which built a mill and manufactured lumber. The president was Allen White. J.R. O'Donnell was the VP. When White withdrew, L.I. Wakefield succeeded him as president and O'Donnell became General Mgr.
J.R. O'Donnell belonged to the Masons, in which he reached the Shrine, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the BPO Elks. He was a Republican and served on the Elma City Council, also being Mayor. From 1903 to 1905 he was a member of the Washington State Senate.
In 1900, John R. "O'Donnel" was living with his wife, Flora M., daughter "Mulna" and son John R., in Chehalis Co., Elma Precinct. John R. listed his occupation as dry goods merchant.[3][4][5][6]
John R. O'Donnell died on 19 Sept 1917 of cancer of the rectum at the Aberdeen General Hospital, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor Co., Washington.[7].
Note: John R. O'Donnell's death certificate states that he had lived at his current residence and in the State for 29 years, so he would have come to Washington in about 1888. He is buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery (IOOF), Elma, Grays Harbor, Washington.[8][9]
↑ Find A Grave, database and images (accessed 18 September 2018), memorial page for John Roy O'Donnell (27 Nov 1857–19 Sep 1917), Find A Grave: Memorial #17007797, citing Elma IOOF Cemetery, Elma, Grays Harbor County, Washington, USA ; Maintained by vwsheldon (contributor 46879310) .
Source: S252 Title: O'Donnell, John Roy: WA Death Certificate, Grays Harbor #113, Aberdeen.
Source: S26 Title: "Washington West of the Cascades, Historical and Descriptive", by Herbert Hunt and Floyd C. Kaylor, S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1917, Vol. III; WA St. Lib., WA Room.
Source: S60 Title: 1900 US Census WA, Chehalis Co., Elma Precinct, ED 12, sheets 17A and 20A.
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