Bates (1) has Francis Odell, but the entries in the company E descriptive book (2, 4, 5) clearly have Francis O. Dell. The city directory entries vary between Odell and O'dell.
He was born in 1837/38 (4 (23 in 1861), 7, 8 (23 at death in 1863), 9 (10 in 1850), 11 (24 at death in 1863)). He was born in Leitchfield [?] Connecticut (4, 8, 9 [PA]). He may have been born to Lorenzo O'Dell and Charity [unknown family name] (9, 10).
In 1850, he was living in ward 4, Moyamensing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (9). He was living with Charity Odell (perhaps his mother) (9). He had attended school within the year (9).
In fall 1861, he was (probably) a sawyer (10). He was (probably) living at 1212 Austin Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10).
When he enlisted, he was a mill sawyer (4).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 11 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair (4, 7).
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private in company E on 21 August 1861, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania, for three years (1, 4, 7 [20 Aug 61], 12 (corp)). He was enlisted by Capt Lentz, and mustered in by Col Reiff (4). He was appointed corporal on 10 September 1861 (3).
He was promoted to sergeant in February 1862 (3). (According to the list of corporals in (3), he was promoted to sergeant "Vice elliott Reduced". The other information I have suggests that Cartledge was promoted vice Elliott, and that Elliott was discharged on surgeon's certificate, not reduced.)
He deserted on 1 May 1862, at Washington DC (3, 4). When he returned, under the presidential proclamation, in April 1863, he was reduced to the ranks, and lost all pay for the time he was absent (3, 4).
On 3 June 1863, the regiment reported him regained from desertion, and in hospital in Philadelphia (6).
He died on 29 July 1863 (1, 7), at his home in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, of a disease of the lungs, contracted from exposure (phthisis pulmonalis) (2, 4, 8, 11). He was a sergeant, in company E (12). He either died at or was buried from, his mother's residence, 1212 Austin Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (8). He was buried on 31 July 1863 in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (8, 11).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 list of deaths, company E
3 list of non-commissioned officers, company E
4 descriptive roll, company E, entry 11
5 register of deserters, company E, entry 4
6 consolidated morning report, HQ 91st PA, 3 June 1863 (Frank Odell)
7 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 17 May 2004 (Francis Odell)
8 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 29 July 1863 (Francis Odell)
9 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Moyamensing, ward 4, microfilm series M432, film 809, page 442 = 879 handwritten (Francis Odell)
10 Biddle's and McElroy's Philadelphia directory, 1862, page 506 [on Footnote] (Francis O'Dell)
11 death notice, Public Ledger 31 July 1863 page 2 (Francis A Odell)
12 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Francis O'Dell)
| line | 11 | 12 |
| Dwellings visited | 671 | |
| Families visited | 761 | |
| Name | Charity Odell | Francis " |
| Age | 38 | 10 |
| Sex | F | M |
| Color | ||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Teacher | |
| Real estate owned | ||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Penna] | " |
| Married within year | ||
| Attended school within year | 1 | |
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
ODELL [sic].--On Wednesday, FRANCIS A. ODELL, in the 24th year of his age.
His funeral will take place this (Friday) afternoon, at 1 o'clock, from the residence of his mother, 1212 [?] Austin street. Friends invited to attend.