Odenkirk Grady Connection
We have an interesting family connection in the Odenkirk/Grady families. Just as simply as possible I will attempt to explain:
- The George Odenkirks and William Gradys lived on nearly adjacent farms in Henderson Twp., Huntingdon Co., Pennsylvania.
- (I) George Odenkirk had a daughter named (II) Elizabeth and a son, (II) Isaac.
- (I) Wm. Grady had a son, (II) John.
- (II) John Grady married (II) Elizabeth Odenkirk and had a son, (III) Israel.
- (II) Isaac Odenkirk and his wife had a son, (III) Isaac Howe Odenkirk.
- (III) Israel Grady and his wife Sophronia had a daughter, (IV) Huldah.
- (III) Isaac Howe Odenkirk and (IV) Huldah Grady married and had three sons: Russell.
- Therefore: Russell Odenkirk was the grandson of George Odenkirk and Catherine Kachel on both his maternal and fraternal side of the family. Elizabeth was Isaac Howe's aunt and Huldah's grandmother. In other words, Isaac Howe Odenkirk and Huldah Grady were 1st cousins, once removed.
Georg was in Mifflin County, Union Township in 1810. (p. 991) He was next in Huntingdon Co., Henderson Twp. in 1820 (pg 931/069) deceased in 1840. Mifflin and Huntingdon Counties are very close to each other.
From HISTORY OF HUNTINGDON COUNTY, by Africa Early settlers of Henderson Township mentioned were William Grady and John Dorland who both lived "up the creek." Later John Dorland sold his property to Geogre Oatenkirk, thus establishing the proximity of the two families
The following account is taken from the J. H. Beers history of Wayne County published in 1889. ISRAEL GRADY: This gentleman is a well-known native citizen of Wayne County, Ohio, having been born in Greene Township April 28, 1828. His paternal grandfather was a native of England, and immigrated to America at an early day, settling in Pennsylvania, in which State he died. John Grady, father of Israel, was born in that State, and there learned the trade of coopering. (barrel making) In early manhood he married Elizabeth Odenkirk, a native of the Keystone State, of German ancestry. They were the parents of eight Children, three of whom are now living.
In 1818 John Grady brought his family to Wayne County, settling on a farm in Greene Township. This was then a wild, unsettled place, and the farm had to be cleared from the forest. They had to endure all the discomforts and hardships of early pioneer life, but as the farm grew in beauty and value as the result of their toil, the hardy pioneer and his wife felt themselves amply rewarded by having a good home in which to rear the children rapidly growing up within their cabin walls.
Mrs Grady was the first to hear the summons of the angel of death, passing away at the age of sixty-five years. Her husband survived her until 1864, when he died at the ripe age of nearly four score. Both were sincere members of the Baptist Church of Wooster.
Israel Grady lived with his father until he was twenty-seven years of age, and in his youth took his share of the labors of the pioneer. At the age of twenty-four he was married to Miss Sophronia, daughter of Josiah and Eunice (Pratt) Milbourn, and born in East Union Township, May 13, 1828.
In 1858 Mr. Grady bought a farm in East Union Township, on which were but a few improvements, and here he and his faithful wife industriously and intelligently did they labor that their farm was known as the finest in the township. The first work on their farm was the planting of eighteen acres of fruit trees.
Mrs. Grady's father was also one of Wayne County's pioneers, coming here from Virginia with his mother at an early day, and settling in East Union Township.
In 1819 he was married to Miss Eunice, a daughter of Oliver Pratt, who came to this county in 1814. Her father died in December, 1880, aged eighty-one years. Mrs Grady was brought up as pioneer's children were in those early days. She learned to spin and weave, was instructed in household work and often worked in the fields, at such labor as she was equal to. She remained at home until her marriage. She and her children are members of the Baptist Church.
In 1881 Mr. Grady and his wife left the farm which had for so many years been their home and came to Wooster, settling on a piece of land in the edge of the city, forty and a half acres of it being within the corporation limits. To get possession of this tract he had to purchase from seventeen different owners.
The place was wild and barren, but he set to work to improve it with the same untiring industry which had hitherto characterized his labors. One of the attractive features of the place is a fish pond, in the excavating and preparing of which two years were spent. This, when finished, he stocked with carp, which are in a thriving condition, and on its surface a graceful swan floats.
To-day this place is one of the most attractive homes in Wooster, and many visitors are drawn thither by its beauty and the attraction of a boat ride on the glassy surface of the lake. In the summer as many as 1,500 persons have visited it in a month.
Mr. and Mrs. Grady have two children: the eldest, Hulda (Mrs. Isaac H. Odenkirk,) lives with her parents: Josiah M. lives on the home farm, in East Union township.
The life of Mr. Grady has been one of labor, and the honorable position he has attained is altogether due to the industry of himself and his capable wife. He has always been in favor of all projects whose object was to benefit the county, and he will long be remembered as one of its public spirited and enterprising citizens.
The marriage certificate written by the pastor shows the marriage date as 30th day of September 1852. The record in the court house shows 28th day of September 1852. The latter was also signed by the pastor, E. G. Brown.
