Daniel T. Ozbun

DANIEL T. OZBUN.

The attractiveness of Greene county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of its native sons have continued to remain as its citizens after reaching manhood. Amongthis number is Mr. Ozbun, who is now successfully carrying on farming near Carrollton. He was born in Roodhouse township, Greene county, on the jth of October, 1839, and is a son of Benjamin F. Ozbun. The family is of Scotch and Welsh lineage and was established in America in early colonial days. Representatives of the name removing to Tennessee became owners of large plantations there. The grandfather, Bartholomew Ozbun, who was born in North Carolina on the loth of March, 1776, went to Tennessee, where he remained for a number of years and some of his brothers became residents of Indiana. The grandfather, ho\\-ever, accompanied by his son Benjamin F., came to Illinois in 1834, his son Daniel having previously located in Greene county. In 181 6 the grandfather had made a trip to the southern portion of Illinois, where he remained for a year, but later returned to Tennessee and afterward spent a short time in Indiana. In 1832, however, he again went to Indiana and located in Greene county, where he remained until 1834, when he came to Greene county, Illinois. He was married to ]Miss Elizabeth Abbott, who was born November 16, 1785.

Among their children was Benjamin Ozbun, the father of our subject, whose birth occurred in Sumner county, Tennessee, November 18, 1810. With his father he came to Illinois in the fall of 1834, becoming a resident of Greene county. At that time be had a cash capital of fifty cents and he also owned a horse, which he had ridden from Tennessee to Indiana and afterward to this state. He began \\ork for Samuel Thomas for twelve dollars per month and was employed in the neighborhood as a farm hand for about two years. He was then married on the 9th of July, 1837, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy McCool. a native of Polk county, Tennessee. They became the parents of ten children, of whom four are now living. -Vfter their marriage the young couple settled on a tract of land which he had entered from the government in the northwestern part of the county and he at once began to cultivate and improve what hitherto had been raw prairie. He resided thereon until 1854, when he sold the property and for a few years rented land from Samuel Thomas. In 1857, however, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in the northwestern part of Kane township and continued to make his home thereon throughout his remaining days. As his financial resources increased he added to this from time to time tintil he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres. He was there engaged in general farming and his enterprise and business activity were salient characteristics in his life. He was also a good citizen and kind and devoted husband and father. He passed away July 18, 1885, amid the deep regret of many friends. His son Robert then took up the management of the farm fc:>r his mother, who resided upon the old homestead until her death, which occurred on the 7th of March, 1895.

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

At the time of his marriage Mr. (3zbun purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he nnw resides. It was a timber tract ami. clearing away the trees, he plowed the fields, planted his crojjs and in due course of time developed rich tracts. He inherited forty acres of the homestead property and he purchased sixty acres in addition to the homestead. He has altogether at the present time one hundred and eighty acres of lank. which is Aery arable and productive and he is now successfully carrying on general farming. 1 le al.so raises cattle and hogs and has added to his income in this wa_\ There are good buildings on his place, well located, and there is also excellent bearing orchards. Mr. Ozbun has served as a school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, for he realizes the value of instruction as a preparation for the practical and responsible duties of life. He and his family have long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church as faithful and helpful members, and he gives his political allegiance to the Democracv. He is a man of firm convictions.

of strong purposes and honorable motives, and his life record is in many respects well worth of commendation.

As printed in Past and present of Greene County, Illinois (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.