Odom, Thomas B., M.D.

Submitted by Mike Miller, Jun. 1998
Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 556-557. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Odom, Thomas B., M. D., well-known and successful physician, druggist and planter, Prairieville, Ascension parish, La., was born at Dennis Mills, St. Helena parish, La., May 19, 1864; son of Isaac and Zilphia E. (Stanley) Odom, the former of whom was born in Darlington district, S. C., and followed the vocation of a farmer throughout life; the active portion of life, at least, as he now lives in retirement at Baton Rouge, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life of earnest endeavor. The death of his wife occurred Dec. 12, 1890, at Dennis Mills, where the family located at an early date.

The ancestors of the Odom family in this country came originally from England and Ireland, and those of the Stanley family from England. The Odoms and Stanleys being defenders of the Crown of England in Cromwell's time, and becoming dissatisfied with the political changes of that country, they came to America and located at Charleston, S. C., there being surrounded with an atmosphere of a free country, they became imbued with a spirit of true democracy and adopted the doctrine as taught by Roger Williams--separation of church and state, free speech and free religion--therefore, they affiliated themselves with the Baptist church. They came to America at a very early time in the history of the country.

The Odom family was afterward prominently represented in various commands that did service during the Revolutionary war; later, in the Mexican war, and still later, in the Civil war.

To Isaac Odom and wife 12 children were born, four of whom are living at this time, namely: James Manuel, now in mercantile business at Baton Rouge; William Harrison, in mercantile business at Dennis Mills; Thomas B., the subject of this sketch; Adella Dargin, wife of Dr. J. M. Quinn, of Zachary, La.

Thomas B. Odom received his earlier education in the country schools of the locality in which he was born. Later, he attended Gallsburg college, in Amite county, Miss. When his academic education was deemed complete, he entered the medical department of Tulane university, from which, in due time, he graduated with the degree of M. D. in the class of 1894.

Shortly thereafter he located at French Settlement, La., and there began the practice of medicine, remaining in that locality until 1913, when he moved to his present location at Prairieville because of the better educational advantages that could be there afforded his children. While at French Settlement the doctor had medical charge of the help of 4 sawmills, and looked after the health of those connected with these industries.

Apart from his medical practice, he owns and conducts an up-to-date drug store business, which is needed in the locality. In the course of his professional experience, he has served 2 terms as coroner of Livingston parish and 2 terms as president of the Livingston parish Medical society. By appointment of Gov. Blanchard, he served as delegate to the tuberculosis convention at Washington, D. C.

He is a member of the Ascension parish and the Louisiana State Medical societies and the American Medical association. He is affiliated, also, with the Baptist church, Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Honor and Woodmen of the World. The doctor is extensively interested in livestock and in farming, both in Livingston and Ascension parishes.

Aug. 31, 1892, Dr. Odom was married to Miss Mary Helena Maskalena, a daughter of Nicholas and Catherine (Schneider) Maskalena; the former of whom followed the vocation of a sailor in his earlier days, but later became a planter and hunter of the Amite river section in Livingston parish, where the daughter was born. Both of Mrs. Odom's parents are now deceased. She was reared in the family of Stephen Ernest, a timberman and merchant of Livingston parish. Mr. Ernest died in 1899.

To Dr. and Mrs. Odom 8 children have been born, as follow: Zilphia E., a graduate of Hillman college, Clinton, Miss., and now teaching at Ville Platte, La.; Albertine, also a graduate of Hillman college and now teaching at Chataignier, Evangeline parish, La.; Lois Dargin, at the parental home; Stanley, at school; Dudley Thornton, also at school; Thomas B., Jr., at school; Isaac Manley and Helene Jewell, at the parental home.