Early Life and Career
Odon Guitar was born in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, to John Guitar and Emily Gordon. His father had emigrated from Bordeaux, France, and met his mother in Kentucky. They moved to Boone County, Missouri, in 1827.
Odon Guitar was an excellent student and enrolled in the initial class of the University of Missouri in 1842, graduating in 1846 with an A.B. degree. He was unable to give his commencement address because at the time he was off with Alexander Doniphan’s Expedition in the Mexican War. As a result his degree was the first conferred by the University “in absentia.” Having distinguished himself he returned from the war in 1847.
Guitar studied law under his uncle, John B. Gordon, and was admitted to the bar in 1848. He left to participate in the California gold rush, returning to Columbia, Missouri, to resume his law practice in October 1851.
Guitar became involved in Whig politics and was elected to two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives (1854–1856 and 1858-1860.)
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