SOURCE: History of the upper peninsula of Michigan : containing a full account of its early settlement, its growth, development, and resources, an extended description of its iron and copper mines : also, accurate sketches of its counties, cities, towns, and villages ... biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers.
Collection: Michigan County Histories Pages 506

DR. ROBERT ODELL, physician of the Commonweal Mine, was born in Erie, Penn., in 1843; entered service of the United States as Hospital Steward in June, 1861, and continued to September, 1864; then entered the Medical Department of Ann Arbor, Mich., as student of medicine, where he remained until March, 1866, at which time he graduated. In the fall of 1866, he went to Hancock, Mich., as assistant physician to Franklin and Pewabice Copper Mines for nearly one year. In 1867, he entered the service of the medical department of the United States Army; served as Post Surgeon at Fort Wilkins until August, 1870. Was with the United States troops in Kentucky from March, 1870, until December, 1871. Went to Little Rock (Ark.) Barracks, as assistant to Post Surgeon December, 1871, where he remained until the spring of 1872, when he went to Fort Bridger, W. T. From Fort Bridger, he went to Fort Fetterman as Post Surgeon, where he remained about eighteen months, and then went to Camp Stambaugh, W. T., as assistant to Post Surgeon, where he remained until August of that year. Then went to the Black Hills with the United States troops in the field, until the middle of September of that year; then returned to Detroit, Mich., on account of sickness in his family, and retired temporarily from practice. In January, 1880, he had temporary charge of Saginaw, Goodrich, New England, Mitchell and National Iron Mines, which are -located near Ishpeming, Mich. Remained there until 1881, when he came to Commonwealth Iron -Mine as attending physician, where he is still in charge.