Parker B. Osborn

As printed in 1882

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 history of Clinton County, Ohio (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.