O'Donel, Charles M., 1860-1933

Charles M. O'Donel, ranch manager, was born in County Mayo, Ireland in 1860. Following his education "on the continent", he graduated from Sandhurst Military College, Britain's "West Point". O'Donel resigned a position as captain in the British army to come to the United States with his brother, Manus. They arrived in New Orleans; Charles continued on to Texas, where he started working as a cowboy in 1885. O'Donel arrived at the Bell Ranch on June 2, 1898 as general manager, succeeding Arthur J. Tisdall who had died 2 months earlier. Shortly after o'Donel operated the ranch primarily as a cow and calf ranch, with the priority of continually improving the quality of the herd. For most of his tenure, O'Donel had the opportunity to shape policy and develop his own interests, essentially molding the operations of the Bell Ranch. He is credited with using technology and science to turn the Bell into a forward-looking, well-planned modern cattle operation.

From the description of Papers, 1860-1978 (bulk 1919-1935). (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 39474814

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