Charles Osborn

As printed in 1882

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 history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.