M. K. UDELL, who is successfully engaged in the taxi business, is a well known citizen and a member of one of Ashtabula County's honored pioneer families.  He was born in Ashtabula, May 3, 1883, and is a son of Benjamin Franklin and Nellie (Wakefield) Udell.
     Benjamin Franklin Udell was a native of Ashtabula County, born Jan. 7, 1829, and the son of Frederick Udell, who was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1781.  At an early date Frederick Udel came to Ohio and settled on the banks of the Mills Creek in Ashtabula.  He owned one of the early day inns and was also a farmer, having entered a quarter of a section of land between Jefferson and Ashtabula.  Mr. Udell was a prominent church worker of his time and walked between 12 and 15 miles each Sunday to attend services.  John Udell, a brother of Frederick was also widely known as one of hte pioneers of the county.  He wrote a history of his travels and experiences, which he believed would be of great value to the early day traveler.  Mr. Udell made many trips across the county to California and his records show that he traveled 110,000 miles, 16,000 miles of which  he walked.
     Benjamin Franklin Udell was a farmer during his life and died in 1914.  His wife, who was born at Plymouth, Ohio, July 30, 1844, is still living on the homne place in Jefferson.  Mr. and Mrs. Udell had three sons as follows:  Benjamin, born Aug. 17, 1875, a farmer, lives at Jefferson, married Miss Cornelia Battington; Henry, born Oct. 25, 1879, a locomotive engineer, lives at Cleveland, married Lottie Freeman, and they have three children, Henry, Mary, and Grace; and M. K., the subject of this sketch.
     M. K. Udell spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his education in the public schools of Jefferson.  He engaged in farming when a young man and later was employed in Ashtabula as a street car conductor.  For three years he was a fireman on the New York Central Railroad and in 1908 engaged in the grocery and meat business at 23 Station Street, which he conducted successfully for 11 years.  In 1919 Mr. Udell became interested in the taxi business in Ashtabula and was located at 23 Station Street.  In 1921 he built a garage, 120x35 feet at 49 Station Street, where he is at present located.  He owns and operates seven large automobiles and does a large volume of business throughout the city.  Mr. Udell claims he was the first man in the community to lower taxi rates, his fare from uptown to the depot being only 15 cents.  His mileage rate is also 15 cents per mile.
     On Feb. 17, 1908, Mr. Udell was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Kelley, a native of Erie, Pa., and the daughter of James and Anna Kelley, both deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Udell have two sons: Richard, born in August, 1909; and Donald, born Feb. 18, 1914.
     Mr. Udell is identified with the Republican party in politics.  His wife is a member of the Catholic Church.
Source:  History of Ashtabula County, Ohio - by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 - Page  544

C. D. UTTERBACK, who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Jefferson, is one of the well known and successful business men of Ashtabula County.  He was born at Philippi, W. Va., July 16, 1886, and is a son of George and Florence (Fleming) Utterback.
     George Utterback, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War.  He was born in West Virginia and engaged in general farming during his entire life.  He served throughout the Civil War and died in 1913.  His wife, who was born in Grafton, W. Va., died at the age of 42 years.  Mr. and Mrs. Utterback had eight children, of whom C. D., the subject of this sketch, was the fifth in order of birth.
     C. D. Utterback was reared and educated in Philippi, W. Va., and learned his profession of undertaker at that place.  In 1908 he came to Jefferson, where he purchased the furniture and undertaking business of G. B. Dodge, which is located on Chestnut Street.
     On Mar. 20, 1920, Mr. Utterback was married to Miss Mayme House of Hiram, Ohio, and the daughter of Fred and Caroline (Thomas) House.  Mr. House died in 1918, and his widow lives at Garretsville, Ohio.  Mrs. Utterback is a trained nurse, having finished her hospital course at Ashtabula, in 1915.  Mr. and Mrs. Utterback have no children.
     Mr. Utterback is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, a thirty-second degree Mason, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Elks Lodge.  He is an enterprising citizen of Ashtabula County and stands high in his community.
Source:  History of Ashtabula County, Ohio - by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 - Page  751