Macon County Biographie O Odor, Joseph Q. A.    Oglesby, Hon. R. J.    Oglesby, Warner W.    Joseph Q. A. Odor, Fifth Circuit Clerk. -- Mr. Odor was born May 30, 1827, in Garrard County, Kentucky, and came to Macon County in April, 1852, where he engaged in farming and teaching school until 1854, when he was appointed deputy sheriff under Stephen M. Whitehouse. He was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1856, and served four years. In 1861 he became a member of the firm of Milliken & Odor, in the banking business, and continued until 1863, when he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and again engaged in banking. In 1869 he returned to Macon County, and resumed business here as a member of the firm of Smiths, Hammer & Co., and afterwards, upon the dissolution of that firm, became a partner in the firm of Rucker, Hammer & Co., which position he now holds.  Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 51. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Hon. R.J. OGLESBY was born in Oldham County, Kentucky, July 25, 1824. His parents died when he was but eight years old, and he was placed in charge of an uncle, and in 1836 was brought to Decatur with the family of his uncle, Willis Oglesby. He had, while in Kentucky, worked a year and a half at the carpenter's trade, and after his removal to Decatur worked six months with Hon. E. O. Smith. In 1844 he commenced studying law at Springfield with Judge Silas Robins, and read with him one year, and was admitted to the bar in 1845, and commenced the practice at Sullivan, Illinois, and remained there until the spring of 1846. In June of that year he went as Lieutenant in Co. C, 4th regiment, to the Mexican war, and took part in the battles at Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. On his return he continued to study and practice law; but on the breaking out of the gold fever, in 1849, he crossed the plains to California, driving a six mule team en route, with a company of eight men, of which Henry Prather was the leading man. In 1852 he returned home to Macon County, and was a Scott elector [ed., a member of the electoral college, voting for Winfield Scott for President of the United States]. In 1856 he visited Europe, Asia and Africa, and was absent twenty months. On his return he resumed practice, as a member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby. In 1858 he ran as the Republican candidate for congress, and was defeated by Hon. J. C. Robinson. In 1860 he was elected to the State senate [ed., see Congressional Biography]. On the evening the returns of this election were coming in, Mr. O. had a fisticuff encounter with "Cerro Gordo WIlliams," in which he came out victorious, and which was regarded as the first fight of the rebellion. During the extra session of the legislature in 1861, Mr. O. was elected colonel of the 8th Illinois infantry. He commanded a brigade at Fort Donelson, and was stationed on the right of Gen. Grant's army, and rendered valuable service in that famous battle, where so many Macon County soldiers fell. He was engaged in the battle of Corinth, and in a brave charge at this place, was shot with an ounce ball, which he stIll retains, and was borne from the field, as was supposed, mortally wounded. He had been promoted to brigadier-general in April previous. After his partial recovery he was promoted to major-general, as a merit for his valiant services, ranking from Nov. 1862, and in the spring of 1863 was assigned to the 16th army corps. Owing to inability from the effects of his wound, to perform the arduous duties of his position, he resigned his command in July, 1863; but Gen. Grant refused to accept his resignation, and he was detailed, in Dec. 1863, to court martial and try the surgeon-general of the army, at Washington, where he remained until May, 1864, when he returned to his home, and was nominated and elected as the republican candidate for governor of Illinois, and served four years. At the end of his term he returned home to Decatur, and was re-elected governor in 1873; but upon the meeting of the legislature, in January, 1873, he was elected to the senate of the United States, and resigned his office of governor. Senator Oglesby is a man of no common native ability. Almost without education, and by the force of his own powers, he has arisen step by step to his present position as senator of one of the most important states in the Union. Macon County is proud of Senator Oglesby, and we doubt not he is proud of Macon County. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 272. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Warner W. Oglesby, Fifth County Clerk. -- Mr. O. was born October 1, 1817, in Kentucky. He held the office of County clerk from 1847 to 1856. He died on the twenty-second day of August, 1860. He held other positions of trust, and was loved and respected by all. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 52. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. HOME ©2008 Genealogy Trails