The Osborn Families of Clinton County, Ohio

CHARLES N. OSBORN, Justice of the Peace of Union Township, was born in Wayne County, Ind., September 20, 1819. His father, Charles Osborn, was a minister in the Society of Friends, and the publisher of the Philanthropist, issued in 1817, from Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, being the first newspaper in the United States to advocate the immediate emancipation of the slaves; in fact, the first “Abolition paper ” published in America. A condensed but comprehensive history of Charles Osborn will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Osborn’s mother was Hannah Swain, a native of Tennessee. She departed this life in February, 187S, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years one month and twelve days. Our subject remained in Indiana, Wayne County, till seven or eight years of age, and then accompanied his parents to. this county locating on Todd’s Fork, near Sligo, in the forepart of 1827. Two years later, the family removed to the Little Miami River, below Waynesville, in Warren County, Ohio, but returned to Wayne County, Ind., in the fall of 1831. Mr. Osborn remained with his parents until June, 1838, when he struck out for Wilmington, on foot and alone, with his little knapsack on his back. He walked the entire distance, arriving at his destination on the 20th day of the same month. He obtained employment as a clerk with Barclay & folge, owners of a general store and manufactory of hats. Mr. Osborn was a matter by trade, and came to Wilmington with the intention of working at his trade. He remained with the above firm till 1840. On September 16, of that year, he married Caroline, daughter of Daniel Hinman, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y. Soon after this union, Mr. Osborn went into business on Main street, in connection with David Strattan and Joseph W. Hackney, the firm name being Strattan, Hackney & Co. Mr. Osborn remained with the firm only a few months, and then, in connection with his brother-in-law, Stiles Hinman, bought out the firm, changing the firm name to Hinman & Osborn. In March, 1842, the firm sold their stock and trade, and Mr. Osborn went to Martinsville and purchased the hat store and tools of T. L. Caruthers, also, in company with a brother-in-law, John C. Hadley, opening out a general store. In October, 1847, the firm dissolved partnership, and Mr. Osborn returned to Wilmington. His next venture was with D. C. Hinman in a general store, the firm of Hinman & Osborn doing business till January 1, 1851. In the fall of that year, Mr. Osborn was elected Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Clinton County, being re-elected in iiir > '.u: an any

1854, and serving two terms. In 1857, he embarked, with Webb Broomhall, in a merchant tailoring and clothing.establishment. In 1858, he was elected Justice of the Peace of Wilmington, serving one term. In April, 1861, Mr. Osborn engaged in the drug business with Cyrus M. Walker. In 1865, he disposed of his interest to his partner, and purchased the stock of groceries owned by Samuel Woodruff. E. L. Way was a partner in.the business'. Pour months later, Mr. Woodruff bought back the stock. Mr. Osborn started in the same business again, but two years later Mr. Woodruff bought him out. He then went into partnership with Judge A. W. Doan, the firm, of Osborn & Doan continuing two years. Mr. Osborn remained in the business till March 1, 1877.. and since then has been acting as administrator of states, executor, trustee, etc. Mr. Osborn was made a Mason in 1850, and a member of the Chapter in 185-1. For several years he officiated as Secretary and Treasurer of both Lodge and Chapter. He was formerly a Whig, and was a delegate to the Whig convention, in February, 1840, that nominated Tom Corwin for Governor of Ohio. Since 1854, he has been a stanch Republican. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Osborn, two sons and two daughters living- — Mary E., wife of E. L. Way, once publisher of the Clinton Count// Republican, now residing in Orange County, Fla.; Edward F., of Babb & Osborn; Hannah, wife of Frank Babb, of Babb & Lewis; and Daniel C., proprietor and publisher of the South Florida Journal, at Sanford, Orange Co., Fla. Mr. Osborn, with, and family are Friends.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PARKER B. OSBORN, is one Wilmington’s oldest and most enterprising harness manufacturers. He was born in Wayne County, Ind., October 14, 1821. He is the son of that noble Quaker minister, Charles Osborn, who was, in the language of William Lloyd Garrison, ‘‘the father of all of us Abolitionists.” In 1817, he issued, at Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, the first number of the Philanthropist, the first newspaper published in America advocating the doctrine of immediate emancipation of the slaves. He was a pioneer minister of the Society of Friends, and for thirty or forty years “ sar. head of the church over the world.” A brief but reliable sketch of this slave emancipator will be found in this work. Parker B. Osborn resided in Wayne County, Ind., till he had attained his fifteenth year. He then commenced learning his present trade, and subsequently taught music seven or eight years (from 1827 to 1835). In 1828— 29, he resided with his parents on Todd’s Fork, in Adams Township; thence to Warren County, Ohio, and two years later back to Wayne County, Ind. His next place of business was at Niles and Cassopolis, in Michigan, where he remained six or seven years. In 1850, he came to Wilmington once more, and commenced teaching music again, having classes throughout this State, Indiana and Michigan. In 1855, he located at Muneie, Ind., where he worked at his trade, and from which point he taught his different classes in music. In the spring of 1862, he located again at Wilmington, and since 1865 has devoted his entire time and attention to his business. Mr. Osborn is a well-known citizen of Wilmington and Clinton County, and honored by all for his high business qualities and warm, social nature. He enjoys a birthright in the Society of Friends, and, politically, is Republican. He has been married three times. The maiden name of his present wife was Rebecca A. Randolph. Mr. Osborn has three children living — I. R. Osborn, with Lyon & Healey, of Chicago; Clarence W., residing on a farm near Lincoln, Neb., and Jennie E., at home.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ADAM OSBORN, blacksmith, Ogden, was born February 1, 1823, in Clinton County, Ohio; son of Thomas and Margaret Osborn. Thomas Osborn was born about the year 1800, and when about fifteen years of age, his parents, William and Susannah Osborn, emigrated from North Carolina to Clinton County, Ohio. He was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving but a limited education. About the year 1818, he married Miss Margaret Reynard, daughter of Adam and Catherine Reynard. They were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are still living, viz., William, Adam, Peter, Thomas, Susannah, Catherine and Mary. Thomas Osborn, after leading a life of usefulness, departed this life, July, 1837. His wife died in December, 1867. Adam. Osborn, the subject of our present sketch, was reared on a farm; received but a limited education. When about twenty years of age, he began the trade of blacksmithing. He first engaged himself to Mr. Joseph Thatcher, who was located about three miles southwest of Wilmington; remained with him about two years. He then engaged himself to John Kimbrough, at Sligo village, for whom he worked about four years. He then located on the old Cincinnati road, about four miles southwest of Wilmington, remained there until 1865, when he removed to Ogden Village, opened a shop, and has been in business here up to the present time. He was married, March 15, 1846, to Miss Martha P. Clark. To them have been born nine children, viz., Mary, Mattie, Lydia D., Amanda M.. Peter A., Elisha B., and three deceased. Mrs. Osborn died August 4, 1861. He remarried, April 25, 1867, to Mrs. Anderson, widow of Harrison Anderson. She died, September 2, 1874. He was again married, February 3, 1878, to Mrs. Ann E. Nordyke. This union has been blessed with one child, viz., Minnie C. He is a member of the Friends’ Society, and a man who is more upright in his dealings with hie fellow men, Clinton County does not possess. This worthy gentleman certainly is entitled to the honor of being represented in the history of our county.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PETER OSBORN, Sr., farmer, P. O. Ogden, was born July 31, 1826, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret Osborn. Thomas was born about the year 1800; was the son of William and Susannah Osborn, of whom we have, made mention in this work. He was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education. Was married about the year 1818, to Miss Margaret Reynard. They were the. parents of twelve children, seven of whom are still living. He first settled ou Lytle’s Creek, near where the village of Ogden is at present located. In 1829, he removed to a farm located near the farm at present owned by Mr. Alfred Osborn. He remained here until his death, which occurred in July, 1837. Ho was a kind and loving father and au affectionate husband, and his achievements are well worthy of remembrance. Peter Osborn, the subject of our sketch, was reared to man’s estate on a farm, receiving the rudiments of education ia a district school. On October 22, 1859, he married Miss Elizabeth Lundy, born March 30, 1333, and daughter of Jesse and Abigail Lundy. They are the happy parents of four children, viz.: Angeline, Ruth E., Margaret J. and Clark. Mr.

Osborn is a consistent member of the Friends’ Society and may well be classed among the worthy and upright citizens of Clinton County.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALFRED OSBORN, farmer, P. 0. Ogden, was born January 5, 1833, in Clinton County; was the son of Peter and Sarah Osborn. Peter Osborn was about eleven years of age when his parents settled in Clinton County. Ilis education was rather limited, and as he grew to manhood he also engaged in the work of clearing the forest, in which he endured a great many hardships and privations. He first married Miss Sarah Hadley, daughter of William and Susan Hadley, by wem he had eight children. Mrs. Osborn having died, he married Mrs. Eliza A. Trueblood, widow of Cyrus Trueblood, by whom he had two children, viz.: Mary and- Ada. He was a member of the Friends’ Society, and during the latter part of his life was a preacher of the gospel for that religious body, and died November 17, 1874. In him his children found a kind and loving father, and his consort found in him an indulgent husband. Alfred Osborn was reared on a firm, received but a very limited education; was married October 23, 1862, to Miss Martha E. Stanton, daughter of William and Theodosia Stanton. To them have been born six children, viz.: Aletta, Walter S., Sarah T., Olive A., Frank

T. and Ruth J. (deceased). He is a member of the Friends’ Society, a Republican, and at present living on part of the old homestead farm of his father, located about one and a half miles southeast of Ogden Village.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Michael, Peter, Caroline, Elizabeth, Charles, Lydia, Clark, Frank and Delphina. IK- owned at oife time about 1,600 acres of land in Ohio and Indiana. lie was a member of the Friends’ Society, and died January 1, 1871). Peter, the fourth child of Charles and Elizabeth Osborn, and subject of this sketch, was, like his father, reared to man’s estate on a farm, and received but a limited education. On September 20, 1 866 lie was united in marriage to Miss Anne J. Thatcher, daughter of Joseph and Deborah Thatcher. This union has been blessed with seven children, viz.: Calvin, Clinton

Elizabeth, Lizzie, Melville, and two who arc deceased. He is a member of the Friends’ Society and the owner of ninety-six acres of land, partly in Adams and Washington Townships.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.