\osborne\biograph\newbio7 Updated: 2/7/2014
Bio. of Benjamin Springer
History of Madison County, Ohio, Chicago,
W.H. Beers & Co., 1883. Page 288. (transcript)
[See the bio. of Usual Osborn]
BENJAMIN SPRINGER.
In 1796, Benjamin Springer, with his wife and two sons, Silas and
Thomas, also his son-in-law, Usual Osborn and wife, settled on Big Darby.
They were natives of Pennsylvania, and built their cabin on land now owned
by John Taylor, close to the north line of Canaan Township, and just within
the limits of the same. Prior to their settlement in this county, they had
resided a short time in Kentucky, whence they removed to the Darby. Howe
says that Springer came out in the fall of 1795, built his cabin, and, in
the spring of 1796, brought his family. This is a mistake; he did not come
until the latter year, according to the reminiscences of Jonathan Alder,
who says that Springer came to the Darby the year succeeding the treaty of
Greenville, or the next year after he pitched his camp on the Dominy land.
As Alder did not come until the fall of 1795, it follows that Springer did
not come until 1796. Alder gives a brief history of Springer's family, and
we cannot do better than to quote his narrative. After speaking of his
settlement, he says : "His family consisted of himself, wife and three
children -- Silas, Thomas, and Osborn's wife. He built the first mill on
Darby. It was situated about a mile below where Pleasant Valley now is.
It was poorly constructed, and only ran about six months, the first high
water sweeping the dam away. It was never rebuilt. Springer lived to be
eighty years old, and died on Darby. The last time I saw him, he came to
my house in 1825, and took dinner with me. After dinner, we walked out,
and, at parting, he shook hands with me and said : 'This is perhaps the
last time we shall see each other alive.' I made light of it, but he said he
was in earnest, as he did not believe he would live long. He wished to
carry to my mind the idea that he had some warning that his end was
approaching. It was warm weather in the early fall, and he looked quite
hale and hearty, but before winter he was dead.
"I have seen Springer's two boys -- Tom and Silas -- without shoes at
Christmas. Tom was a great hunter, and frequently went with me on such
occasions. One morning we started out early and crossed Little Darby and
the Spring Fork. Late in the evening, Tom killed a fine buck, and by the
time it was dressed it was dark. Tom wanted to know what we would do.
I told him we would have to camp out, and he seemed very well pleased at
the idea. We made a fire and roasted some of our venison for supper. Tom
was rather industrious, and did most of the drudgery, getting the wood and
water. Late at night, we began to talk about sleeping. Tom said as he had
no blanket he would have to sleep with me. I told him that two grown-up
Indians never slept together; they are like two male bears, never found in
the same hole or tree, for if they should happen to get together, they would
fight, and one or the other would have to leave. 'Well,' said he, 'what
am I to do; I have no blanket.' I told him he ought to have thought of
that before he started, and that he never saw an Indian go out without his
gun, knife, tomahawk and blanket. 'Well,' said he, 'I do not know
what I shall do if you will not let me sleep with you.' I told him we
would fix our beds and he could sleep in his buckskin. I had only been
teasing him, as the deerskin was, after all, the warmest thing he could
sleep in. I had looked out an old tree before dark, and so I went and
got a lot of bark to keep us off the ground. Tom stretched himself
out, wrapped in his deerskin, and was soon snoring. I woke up in
the night and found it was snowing very fast, but as Tom was still
snoring I did not disturb him. When we awoke in the morning there
was about six inches of snow on the ground. When Tom opened out
his buckskin to get up, the snow fell on his face and scared him some, for
he declared that he knew nothing of the snow until he woke up. Taking
all together, Tom had the better night's rest of the two. We built a fire
and roasted some of our venison, and then packed the remainder and started
for home. Tom never got tired telling about that hunting trip. One
morning, I went out before day coon hunting, a year or so before our deer
hunt. There was a heavy frost. Just after daylight, I met Silas and Tom
Springer. Tom was barefooted, and I asked him if his feet were not cold.
'No,' said he, 'not much.' How the fellow could stand it and go through such
a frost and not freeze his feet, I never could understand. After Tom grew
up to be a man, he went out West, and I saw no more of him. After Silas
grew up, he married Margaret Kilgore, a very fine young woman, about 1807.
She was the daughter of Thomas Kilgore, who was one of the early settlers
on Big Darby. Silas settled on the farm now owned by Eugene Babb,
in Jefferson Township. He adhered to the New-Light Church; was an upright
citizen, and raised a large family." We have been told by old settlers
that he died on this farm, but Alder says: "Silas Springer bought a farm
on Big Darby, which he improved and lived on until the year 1825, when
he sold out to George Brown and moved West. He was of a religious turn
of mind and would sometimes preach. After he went West, he joined the
Mormons, and I then lost sight of him." Which of these accounts is the
true one we are unable to say, but, doubtless, some of our readers may be
able to throw sufficient light on the subject to clear away all doubt, and
establish one or the other as the true story.
Bio. of Howard Osborn
History of Franklin County, Ohio, Topeka-Indianapolis, Historical
Publishing Co., 1930. Vol. 3, page 1342. (transcript)
Howard Osborn. -- A man of varied activities in business and public life
is Howard Osborn. He was born January 13, 1882, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, the
son of Edward S. and Jennie A. (Lynn) Osborn.
Edward S. Osborn was born in Westerville, Ohio, January 8, 1849, a son
of Ezra and Lucinda Osborn, early settlers of Franklin County. Edward S.
Osborn came to Reynoldsburg in 1872. He was a tinner by trade and was a
well known and highly respected citizen of this section. He died in
October, 1908. His wife, Jennie A. (Lynn) Osborn was born at Winterset,
Guernsey County, Ohio, in April, 1856, the daughter of Adam Lynn, who
conducted a general store at that place. He later removed to Pataskala
where he operated a cigar factory. In 1888 Mr. Lynn came to Reynoldsburg.
Here he began the manufacture of hand made guitars which had a wide sale
throughout the country.
To Edward S. Osborn and wife five children were born: Claud M., a clerk
in the Columbus post office, lives at Reynoldsburg; Howard, the subject of
this sketch; Nellie, married E.E. Connell, hardware merchant, Reynoldsburg;
and Walter E., employed in the Ralston Steel Car Works, Columbus. Mrs.
Osborn died in 1908.
Howard Osborn attended the public schools of Reynoldsburg. At the age
of fourteen he started in business for himself, buying junk, and continued
in that business until he was twenty-five years of age. From 1917 until
1922 he was engaged in the hardware and implement business. As a merchant
he was successful. He began his business career on a limited capital, but
by reason of exceptionally good business ability and of closely attending
to business, Mr. Osborn prospered. He disposed of his implement business,
and is now engaged in the real estate business.
On August 21, 1907, Mr. Osborn married Miss Mayme N. Beck, of Columbus,
the daughter of Theodore and Louisa (Worth) Beck. Mr. Beck was county
clerk of Franklin County in 1893 and died during his term of office. His
widow resides in Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have no children. They are
members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Osborn is a Republican and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Bio. of Andrew H. Osburn
History of Delaware County, Ohio, Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co., 1880.
Page 701. (transcript)
[See the bio. of Ancyl H. Stanforth]
ANDREW H. OSBURN, tile manufactory, Tanktown; was born in Sussex Co.,
N.J., Dec. 8, 1851; the son of Henry and Mary Osburn, whose maiden name was
Havens; came to this county when he was about 1 year old, and located in
this township, where he has since lived. Jan. 15, 1874, Mr. Osborn was
married to Isadora Beardslee, eldest daughter of William Beardslee, of this
township. Since he married, he had been engaged in farming, until March 24,
1879, when he associated with J.T. Cartnell, in the tile business, since
dissolved. They have one one child -- Anna Mary. He and wife are members
of the Presbyterian Church. He is now associated with Ancyl Stanforth, in
the tile manufactory -- the firm name of Osburn & Stanforth; they are now
prepared to make all sizes of tiles, from 21 inches to 14, of superior
quality, which they furnish at bottom prices to those who patronize them;
those who are in need of tile will find it to their advantage to call on
this firm.
Bio. of Ancyl H. Stanforth
History of Delaware County, Ohio, Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co., 1880.
Page 702. (transcript)
[See the bio. of Andrew H. Osburn]
ANCYL H. STANFORTH, tile manufacturer; P.O. Tanktown; is a son of G.B.
Stanforth, of this township. He married Mary B. Osburn, daughter of Henry
and Mary Osburn; the ceremony was celebrated in December 1877; he has been,
for three years past, a resident of Radnor Township; he recently bought
J.T. Cartnell's interest in the tile manufactory, associating with his
brother-in-law, Andrew Osburn, in the same business, under the firm name of
Osburn & Stanforth. Mr. and Mrs. S. have one child -- Pearl Sumner; he and
his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of
Olentangy Lodge, I.O.O.F.
Bio. of Elias B. Osborn
Memorial Record of Licking County, Ohio, Chicago, Record Publishing
Co., 1894. Page 504. (transcript)
ELIAS B. OSBORN, a general farmer and stock-raiser of St. Alban's Township,
was born in Franklin County, Ohio, June 7, 1850. He is a son of Joseph and
Henrietta (Wiro) Osborn, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter born
in Pennsylvania. They accompanied their respective parents to Ohio, and
settling in Franklin County, there met and married. Of their four
children, Elias B. is the second in respect to birth. He was reared to
manhood upon the home farm, and after completing the studies of the common
schools, entered the Reynoldsburg High School. On discontinuing his
studies be gave his attention to farm pursuits, and has since been thus
engaged.
In 1873 was solemnized the marriage of Elias B. Osborn and Hattie
Blakesley, a native of Medina County, Ohio, and the daughter of Chauncey
Blakesley. They are the parents of two children, sons, named Herbert and
Arthur A. In religious connections they belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in which Mr. Osborn is now serving as a Trustee. In addition to
the raising of cereals, he has devoted considerable time and attention to
stock-raising, in which department of agriculture be has met with success.
He owns and cultivates one hundred and fifty-five acres of fine land, of
which one hundred were given him by his father. While farming engages his
attention, it does not do so to the exclusion of the public welfare, and as
a stanch friend of the Republican party, he gives his influence for its
candidates and its measures. He has served as Township Trustee, in which
position he represented his fellow-citizens witb energy and capability.
Bio. of Smith S. Osborn-14861
Memorial Record of Licking County, Ohio, Chicago, Record Publishing
Co., 1894. Page 518. (transcript)
SMITH S. OSBORN, a resident farmer of Jersey Township, has spent his entire
life in Ohio, the progress of which he has witnessed and to the prosperity
of which he has contributed his quota. His life occupation has been that
of an agriculturist, and at the present time he is cultivating one hundred
and sixteen acres of well-improved land, upon which he raises the various
cereals. He is interested in everything tending toward the advancement of
the material, moral and religious welfare of the township, and gives his
support to all progressive measures.
In the township where he now lives the subject of this sketch was born,
July 13, 1837. His parents, Elias and Phoebe (Wheaton) Osborn, were
natives of Essex County, N.J., where they were reared and married. On
coming to Licking County they settled in Jersey Township, where the father
followed the trade of a carpenter until his death about 1840 at the age of
forty-six years. His wife died in 1882, aged eighty-two years. They had a
family of six children, of whom we note the following: Sarah married
Richard Brelsford and resides in Worthington, Ohio; Joseph is a retired
farmer of Licking County; Matilda, Mrs. Theo. Shaw, died in Columbus, Ohio;
Ezra went to Missouri and was killed early in the '60s; Smith S. is the
next in respect to age; Mary, the widow of Henry Warner, makes her home in
Medina County, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm. After the death of
his father he accompanied the other members of the family to Franklin
County, where his boyhood days were passed. His educational advantages
were limited to a comparatively brief attendance in the common schools.
From Franklin he returned to Licking County, where in 1861, he was united
in marriage with Miss Emma Alward, who remained his devoted helpmate until
her death in 1884. His second marriage occurred in 1885, and united him
with Miss Cora Preston, a native of Harrison Township, Licking County.
After his first marriage Mr. Osborn made his home in Fairfield County,
this state, until 1865, meantime engaged in agricultural pursuits. During
that year he returned to Licking County and settled in Jersey Township, of
which he has since been a resident. As above stated, he is the owner of
one hundred and sixteen acres of valuable farm land, upon which he follows
mixed husbandry. The property is under a good state of cultivation and
while there are many fine farms in Jersey Township, this place is
considered one of the best.
Mr. Osborn has had little time or inclination to mingle actively in
politics, and aside from casting his ballot for the candidates of the
Republican party, does not devote any attention to public matters.
However, he is interested in measures tending to the development of the
best interests of the township and county, and may be relied upon to
support all such enterprises. In his religious belief he is connected with
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bio. of Alexander Osborn-11006
Pioneer and General History of Geauga County (Ohio), The Historical
Society of Geauga County, 1880. Page 130. (transcript)
In the latter part of the same winter in which Mr. Kent settled in
Bainbridge, Alexander Osborne, sr., arrived, having previously traded land
which he owned in the state of New York, to Benjamin Gorham, for three
hundred and twenty acres in lot eleven, tract three, in the south part of
the town. Mr. Osborne emigrated from Blandford, Massachusetts, where he
left his family, consisting of wife and six children (Russell, Maria,
Alexander, Jr., Sally, David C., and Melissa), and came to prepare a home,
to which he purposed the moving them the next fall; that during his absence
his wife and youngest daughter died. The remaining children were placed
with relatives, where they remained until their father returned to the old
home, in the winter of 1813-14. He came back to Bainbridge in the latter
part of the same winter, bringing his oldest son, who was about fourteen
years old, with him. The younger ones remained with their friends being too
young to endure the fatigue of so long a journey and the privations of
pioneer life, without the patient, loving care of a mother. Mr. Osborne
started on his return with a span of horses and sleigh, with which he
traveled three days, when the snow went off, and he was obliged to trade his
sleigh for a wagon and, with which he pursued his journey for a week, when
he found it necessary to exchange his wagon for a sleigh, with which he
nearly completed the journey; stopping a few miles north of Warren, where
he was delayed three days by a heavy rain storm, which made the streams
impassible. They came even on the road running from Warren to Cleveland,
by the way of Hudson, which, after the snow went off, was extremely bad, and
scarcely passable. After several accidents and delays the father and son
reached their lonely cabin, where they lived alone till Alexander, jr.,
came, some three years later; Russell having visited Massachusetts for the
purpose of accompanying him back.
In the fall of 1817, Russell made a second trip to Massachusetts, and on
his return in the following winter, his eldest sister, Maria, came with him.
Soon after her arrival, their cabin, with all its contents, was burned.
Among other articles of value was a fine new rifle, and a quantity of books,
which were particularly prized, as new ones could scarcely be obtained at
any price. A new cabin was soon erected, in which the family commenced
housekeeping with a scant supply a furniture, mostly of their own
manufacture. The younger son, David, came later with Jonathan Osborne, an
uncle, who settled in Ashtabula County. David remained several years in
Bainridge, but after his marriage lived several years in Munson, from whence
he removed to Illinois.
The younger sister remained in Massachusetts, where she married, and
died, leaving five children, who now reside in Connecticut. The elder sons
aided in clearing and improving the farm, a few years, when each purchased
land adjacent to the homestead. Russell planted the first apple trees in
the town, on his father's farm, having brought proceeds from Massachusetts.
Seven years from the time of planting many of the trees boor fruit. Several
orchards now in bearing were taken from the nursery which he planted. There
are trees yet standing thickly together on the old nursery ground. Russell
first took up fifty acres of land where Henry Haskins now lives, upon which
he chopped a few acres, and built an ashery, where he made potash, which he
took to Pittsburgh with an ox team, where he could always get cash for that
article, with which he purchased a few dry goods and groceries the for the
convenience of his neighbors and his own profit. He married Ruby
McConoughey, of Aurora, built a log house on land now owned by William
McCollum, a few rods south of the old cemetery, on the east side of the road.
In 1831 he sold to Stephen Goodman, and purchased the farm now occupied by
Joseph Eggleston, where he resided till 1834, but he sold to Jeremiah Root,
and removed to Mantua, where he was engaged several years in the mercantile
business. He now resides in Cleveland, the seventy-nine years old, and
quite vigorous. He has two sons and one daughter. The eldest son, R.P.
Osborne, resides in Bainbridge; Alexander, jr., son of Alexander sr.,
married Anna N. Creager, of New York, and settled on the farm now occupied
by Evan Richard, in lots five and twelve, tract three, where he resided
until his death, which occurred April 25, 1863, at which time he was 60
years and six months old. He was a member of the Methodist church about
twenty-three years; a man just and true in all the relations of life. His
wife survives him and resides in Bainbridge. They were the parents of ten
children -- Lorinda A. married William Howard; Caroline E. married Robert
Hood, and resides in Chicago; John A. married Julia Sly, of Oberlin, and
resides in Iowa; David Edson was killed in the battle of Chaplin Hills, --
he was a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio volunteer infantry;
Mary C. married Dr. Azel Hanks, and resides in Iowa; Lorette M. married S.J.
Hood, and died November, 1870, aged twenty-six years; Addie E., the youngest
of the family, married to Charles F. Phillips, and resides at Chagrin Falls;
Watson C., unmarried, resides at Virginia City, Nevada; Bertley H. died at
the age of nine years; Eliza F., the fourth daughter, died November 16, 1866,
at the age of twenty-two years; Maria, the eldest daughter of Alexander
Osborn, sr., married it Robert Smith, Jr., resided some years in Bainbridge,
removed to Farmington, Trumbull county.
Bio. of James L. Osborn-11026
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio, Embracing the Counties of
Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1893.
Page 690. (transcript)
JAMES L. OSBORN, proprietor of the West Andover, Ohio, Saw & Planing Mill,
was born in Andover township, Ashtabula County, Ohio, September 14, 1834, a
son of Leverett H. and Harriet (Nims) Osborn, the father a native of
Blanford, Hampden county, Massachusetts, and the mother of Fort Ann,
Washington county, New York, who married March 26, 1826.
They came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, about 1830, locating first at
Jefferson, and then in Andover township. The father followed carpentering
most of his life, and also owned a farm of 112 acres. He was a Whig and
later a Republican, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was
a sincere and devoted Christian. He died in Andover, Ohio, May 28, 1858.
Mrs. Osborn died in Jefferson, Ohio, September 16, 1880.
Mr. And Mrs. Osborn had four children: Eliza M., deceased, was the wife
of Edwin D. Knapp; James L., our subject; Helen L., widow of Allen R.
Houghton, and now a resident of Jefferson, Ohio. Florine E., deceased, was
the wife of G.W. Beckwith, then of Jefferson, Ohio, now of 647 Hough Avenue,
Cleveland, Ohio.
James L. Osborn, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life,
received his education at district schools, and acquired the carpenter and
millwright trades. He remained at home till he was twenty-four years of
age, and subsequently, including the season of 1865, was engaged at his
trades. August 28, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth United States regular
band, for the late war, and served until discharged November 13 of that
year. Since 1865, Mr. Osborn has been engaged in the milling business.
The mill was first established in 1848, by George C. Dolph, now deceased, as
a sawmill, and later planing machinery was put in per Britton and Boothsby,
to manufacture cheese vats for H.A. Roe, but was not used long. The mill
was operated by Dolph until June 30, 1851, then sold to Calvin Woodworth,
who sold the same to J.E. Snow, July 5, 1852, who in turn sold to G.B.
Mason, October 18, 1864. January 23, 1866, Mr. Osborn purchased the mill of
G.B. Mason, adding at the time planing machinery, since then, oar and handle
lathes, all of which equipment was destroyed by fire February 24, 1888,
except the oar lathe. During the season of 1888, Mr. Osborn erected his
present building, purchasing and removing the Hayward & Benson mill
machinery from Sheffield, Ohio. September 10, 1890, he put in a planer and
matcher, and also a moulder and this season (1893) has added a band saw and
turning lathe, for wood. In addition to his milling interests, Mr. Osborn
is also agent for the Canton Steel Roofing Co., of Canton, Ohio.
November 1, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie A. Wilder,
who was born in Andover, Ashtabula county, Ohio, May 30, 1842, a daughter
of Joseph and Cornelia (Rathbone) Wilder.
To this union have been born two children, Leverett H., at Andover, Ohio,
August 18, 1865, is now hand-car inspector for Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern Railroad, from Toledo to Buffalo, Oil City and Youngstown, with
residence in Andover, Ohio. He is a natural sketch artist and has done work
in that line for the Railroad Company.
Mary A., the second child, was born at Andover, Ashtabula county, Ohio,
March 17, 1879, and is now at home. In political matters, Mr. Osborn
affiliates with the Republican party, and has held the position of Township
Trustee. He is now a member of the Home Guards of Ohio, and was formerly a
member of the John Brown Black String Company.
Leverett H. Osborn was united in marriage to Miss Isadore B. Kendall,
Sept. 25, 1890. To this union has been born one child, Pearl, Jan. 12,
1892.
Bio. of Lyman H. Osborn
Past and Present of the City of Zanesville and Muskingum County, Ohio,
Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1905. Page 468. (transcript)
LYMAN H. OSBORN.
Lyman H. Osborn, who has become prosperous in the conduct of farming
interests and is now a well to do agriculturist living in section 9, Wayne
township, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, September 28, 1848. His father,
Jefferson Osborn, was born in Brook county, Virginia, in March, 1804, and
married Adiah Pringle, whose birth occurred in the same state in 1810.
Jefferson Osborn came to Ohio in 1826 and with his mother settled in Morgan
county, where she purchased land. It was here that he formed the
acquaintance of Miss Pringle, a daughter of Rev. H. Pringle, a minister of
the Baptist church, who brought his family Muskingum county in 1810, when
the daughter was but a babe. He was one of the first ministers of that
denomination in Muskingum county and he was also the owner of a farm now
in the possession of Lyman H. Osborn. He took an active and helpful part in
the early moral development of his community and for many years his
influence was a potent factor in the religious growth. Jefferson Osborn was
a carpenter by trade and was identified with building interests during his
early life. In 1874 he came to Muskingum county and the following year
purchased two hundred and eighty-four acres of land in Wayne township, on
which he began general farming. In politics he was a democrat and was
acknowledged by all as a man of genuine worth, displaying many excellent
traits of character. In his family were seven children, of whom five are
now living, namely: Mrs. Salina Potter; Pearley, who resides on the old home
farm in Morgan county; Mary; Maria, and Lyman H.
In taking up the personal history of Lyman H. Osborn we present to our
readers the life record of one well and favorably known in this part of the
state. He was educated in the public schools of Morgan county and with his
father came to Muskingum county. He has resided on his present farm since
1874 and is now the owner of two hundred and seven acres of fertile and
productive land about four miles east of Zanesville. The place is devoted
to the raising of grain and also cattle and horses. He has a nice residence
and the farm is well improved with good machinery and all modern equipments
that facilitate the work and render the labors of the owner of most value in
winning success.
Mr. Osborn was married in Morgan county to Miss Jane Patterson, a native
of Vinton county, Ohio, who was reared in Morgan county, this state, and
they have four children: William L., Elizabeth, Ada and Frank H. Mr. Osborn
exercises his right of franchise and support of the man and measures of the
democracy and has served as township trustee and as a member of the board of
education. He was also township treasurer of Wayne township for eight years.
He is identified with the Grange. His persistency of purpose and
unfaltering energy constitute the key that has unlocked for him the portals
of success and he is now one of the substantial agriculturists of his
community.
Bio. of John Osborn-2520
History of Clark County, Ohio, Chicago, W.H. Beers & Co., 1881.
Page 638(section on Harmony Township). (transcript)
John Osborn was a native of Greenbrier County, Virginia: he moved to
Kentucky in 1790, and thence to Ohio in 1812, occupying the lands on which
Plattsburg was afterward located. His sons, William, Levi, Jesse and Elijah
were in after years worthy and prominent citizens of harmony township. He
died August, 1847, aged eighty-seven.
William Osborn, oldest son of John Osborn, came to the township with his
father in 1812, having been born in 1787. His first wife was Jane
McDonald<sic>; his second, the widow of James McArthur. Mr. Osborn was
one of the original founders of Plattsburg, and built the brick hotel on
the principal corner. He was a man of great energy and extraordinary
business capacity, and dealt largely in stock and real state. He died
October 17, 1870, aged eighty-three. A suitable sketch of his life and
character is found in "Turf, Field and Farm" of October 25, 1870, written
by Hamilton Busbey, editor of that journal, and a native of Harmony Township.
...
Following is a list of the names of some of the early settlers of Clark
County who were born before the year 1800, and who are buried within the
township: <partially copied>
Name. Died. Aged.
John Osborn August, 1847 87
Polly Osborn October, 1825 59
Mack McDaniel November, 1832 81
William Osborn October, 1870 83
Jane Osborne<sic> January, 1839 50
James McDaniel January, 1845 67
Elizabeth McDaniel February, 1859 75
Bio. of Rockwell E. Osborne
Biographical History of La Crosse, Trempealeau, and Buffalo Counties,
Wisconsin, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1892. Page 244.
(transcript) <Bio. is accompanied by a photograph of S.W. Osborn on p153>
ROCKWELL E. OSBORNE, of the firm of Edwards & Osborne, La Crosse, Wisconsin,
is a native of the Empire State. He was the son of Jonathan Willis Osborne
and Alma R. (Denison) Osborne, both natives of New York State, and was born
at Nelson, Madison county, New York, January 23, 1842. The father was by
occupation a farmer. Grandfather Jonathan Osborne was a native of
Connecticut and a descendant of an English family who made settlement in
that State in early Colonial times. About 1810 or 1811 he removed from
Connecticut to the central part of New York State, then a new country. He
settled in Nelson, Madison county, where he lived until his death, which
occurred in 1843, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a man of strict
integrity, an adherent to the Presbyterian faith, and was the father of
fifteen children, nearly all of whom grew to manhood.
The father of our subject was one of the youngest of these children.
While absent from home on business he was taken ill and died at Groton,
Tompkins county, New York, November 19,1850, at the age of thirty-six years.
He left to mourn his loss a widow, three sons and one daughter. The subject
of this sketch is the oldest of these children. In 1858 the family came
West and located at La Crosse, where they still remain except the youngest
son, who is a member of the properous firm of Osborne & McMillan grain
dealers of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Rockwell E. taught school from the time he was eighteen until he was
twenty-three years of age. In the meantime he served as a private in Company
D of the Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged in the
battle of Shiloh, and was discharged for disability in August, 1862. In
1864 he assisted in the organization of Company G of the Fortieth Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry and did service in Tennessee. After retiring from the
teacher's desk, Mr. Osborne was engaged in various interests of a clerical
nature until May, 1879, when he joined Mr. B.E. Edwards in the lumber
business, which they continued until 1887, when they disposed of it, and
engaged in other and varied interests.
Mr. Osborne was married in La Crosse, August 17, 1870, to Miss Louise L.
Ober, daughter of Levi E. Ober, M.D. She was born in Painesville, Ohio, and
is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary. Her father was a native of
Vermont. He came to La Crosse in 1857, and was an active and useful man, in
his profession, a public-spirited citizen, a devout Christian, and a
faithful member of the Baptist Church. He died in 1881.
Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have one daughter, Ella Louise, a student of Mt.
Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, a bright and promising young
lady.
Mr. Osborne is a trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of La
Crosse. He is also a member of the Nineteenth Century Club, and of the
Hamilton Club of that city.
Bio. of James Osborn
Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green,
Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, Chicago, J.H. Beers & Co.,
1901. Page 61. (transcript)
JAMES OSBORN, a retired farmer at Evansville, Rock county, is one of the
most venerable characters to be found in that city. His great age commands
the respect of the public, and his personal habits and kindly disposition
have won him a warm place in the hearts of his community.
Mr. Osborn was born in Prince Edward County, Canada, Oct. 23, 1815, a son
of James and Catherine (Trumpo) Osborn, both natives of New York. They were
the parents of four sons and seven daughters, and three of their sons are
now living: James of Evansville; John, of Picton, Canada; and Paul Austin,
of Prince Edward county, Canada. The father, who was a farmer, emigrated to
Canada with his parents when he was twelve years old, grew to manhood in
that country, and was a lifelong agriculturist. He died when almost
eighty-five years old. His wife died in 1848, when she was fifty-two. They
were Methodists. He was drafted in the war of 1812, but being lame did not
serve long. His father bore the name of James Osborn, and was born in the
Mohawk River Valley, of Welsh stock. After the Revolution he moved into
Canada, and settled on Prince Edward Island, where he died at the age of
eighty-five. He had five sons and four daughters. John Trumpo, the father
of Catherine, mentioned above, was born in New York, of Dutch descent, and
followed farming.
James Osborn was reared in Canada, on the farm, "at the butt end of an
ox-handle." When he was two years old his father moved into the dense woods,
two miles from the nearest neighbor, and when James was older grown he
helped to clear the farm. After attaining maturity he worked on shares for
many years. In 1864 Mr. Osborn made his way to Wisconsin, and made a
settlement in Porter township, Rock county, where he bought forty acres,
which is still in his possession.
Mr. Osborn and Miss Louisa Ballard were married Sept. 25, 1838, and this
union has proved a singularly fortunate and happy one. They are the parents
of seven children, two sons and five daughters. Catherine died in infancy.
Jane is the wife of E.D. Barnard, of Evansville. Martha became the wife of
Thomas Hutson, and both she and her husband are now dead. William died in
infancy. James is now living in Minneapolis, and travels for the A.S.
Baker Co.; he married Miss Clara West, and is the father of three children,
Iva, May and Byrle. Elizabeth is the wife of Oscar Mabie, of Janesville.
Louisa died when sixteen years of age. Mrs. and Mrs. Osborn are members of
the Methodist Church, of which he was steward and class-leader for many
years. He is a Republican, but never aspired to office.
Bio. of George R. Osburn-1113
Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois, Chicago,
F.A. Battey & Co., 1884. Page 838. (Richland Co.) (transcript)
[See the bio. of William R. Osburn-1122]
[See the bio. of William H. Osborn]
GEORGE R. OSBURN, farmer, was born in Franklin County, Ind., September
26, 1828, is the son of James T. and Ruth (Nelson) Osburn, is the fifth of
eleven children, and is of English-Welsh descent. The parents came to the
territory that now composes Indiana as early as 1801, being among the first
settlers of Indiana. The father died in Franklin County, in 1858, and the
mother two years previously. The paternal grandfather of our subject was
one of the first men in Kentucky, and was accidentally drowned in the Ohio
River near the mouth of the Big Sandy, about 1796. George R. remained at
hom and superintended his father's farm until 1867, when he came to Denver
Township, Richland County, in this State, and settled where he now lives,
and where he now owns 300 acres of good land, which he redeemed from the
wild prairie. Mr. Osburn's marriage occurred in 1866, to Martha F. Sutfin,
a native of Franklin County, Ind. They had nine children, all deceased,
save one. Mr. Osburn enlisted on January 1, 1862, in Company B,
Fifty-Second Indiana Infantry, and was discharged on September 10, 1865, at
Montgomery, Ala. He participated inthe battles of Fort Donelson, Nashville,
Mobile and others. He now votes as he shot, in the Republican field. Mr.
and Mrs. Osburn are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bio. of William R. Osburn-1122
History of Franklin County, Indiana, Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen &
Co., Inc., 1915. Page 872. (transcript)
[See the bio. of George R. Osburn-1113]
[See the bio. of William H. Osborn]
[See the bio. of Joseph J. Harvey]
WILLIAM R. OSBURN.
The Osburn family, worthily represented in Franklin county at the present
time by William R. Osburn, was one of the very first families to locate in
Franklin county. In fact, the first members of the family located here in
1799, a year before Indiana was made a territory, fourteen years before
Franklin county was organized and seventeen years before Indiana was
admitted to the union. During this long period of one hundred and sixteen
years succeeding generations of the family have been active participants in
every phase of development of the county. A complete history of the Osburn
family and its connection with the various interests of the county would be,
in a large measure, the history of Franklin county. In fact, the coming of
this family to this county antedates, the county organization many years,
the Osburns having been among the earliest and most prominent settlers of
this section.
William R. Osburn, son of George Riley and Martha F. (Sutfin) Osburn, was
born in Butler township, November 26, 1867. His father was born in the same
township, September 26, 1828, and his mother was a native of the same
township, the date of her birth being March 26, 1842. William R. Osburn is
the only one of the nine children born to his parents who is now living.
George R. Osburn was educated in the public schools of his home township
and remained at home until the opening of the Civil War. He enlisted
January 1, 1862, in Company B, Fifty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and served until he was finally discharged from the service
September 10, 1865, at Montgomery, Alabama. Among many other battles in
which he was engaged, he participated in the engagement at Fort Donaldson,
Nashville and Mobile. George R. Osburn was married in 1866 and the year
following moved to Denver township, Richland county, Illinois, where he
lived until 1901. He then returned to the old homestead in Brookville
township, Franklin county, Indiana, and lived there until his death in 1909.
His wife had preceded him to the grave several years, her death having
occurred in Illinois in 1901.
William R. Osburn moved with his parents to Illinois before he was a year
old and lived in Illinois until 1901. In that year he returned to this
county with his father and settled down on the old homestead of two hundred
and sixteen acres which he now owns. He has engaged in general farming and
stock raising with such success as to entitle him to the name of a
progressive farmer.
Mr. Osburn was married in 1894 to Susie Willhite, who was born in
Illinois, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Willhite, both of whom are
deceased.
Mr. Osburn always has given his hearty support to the Republican party
and has always taken an intelligent interest in political affairs, although
he has never aspired to office. His wife is a member of the Methodist church
and Mr. Osburn contributes to the support of this denomination. He is a
Mason, a member of the Royal Arch degree, holding membership at Brookville.
He is also an Odd Fellow. Mr. Osburn is a man well worthy of the high
esteem in which he is held throughout the community and is a sterling
representative of a family which has always been active in promoting the
best interests of Franklin county.
In view of the fact that the Osburn familv is one of the oldest families
of the county, it seems particularly fitting that the following genealogical
history of the family be here included, this history of the family not only
being interesting from a personal standpoint but also valuable as throwing
an interesting light on the early history of the county.
The paternal grandsire of the Osburn generation whose descendants
settled in Franklin county, Indiana, was one of the first men in Kentucky,
and was accidentally drowned in the Ohio river near the mouth of the Big
Sandy, about 1796. This pioneer was of English nativity, his mother and
father came from Wales and England and resided in Scott county, Virginia.
Wishing to seek a home in the West, the father was bringing his family
to Kentucky when he lost his life by his canoe upsetting. His widow and
only son, James T. Osburn, Jr., who was aged ten years, continued westward
to the town of Boonsboro, Kentucky, where they remained one year, returning
to Virginia in 1797.
In the spring of 1798, this young man and his mother came west the second
time, traveling overland on horseback, his four sisters accompanying them.
They started from Abington, Virginia, on the banks of the Clinch river, and
finally after enduring many hardships reached Fort Washington, later on
named Cincinnati, going from there to Boonsboro, Kentucky, a portion of this
lonesome and wearisome journey being only a blazed trail, and the wilderness
of timber through which they journeyed being inhabited by wandering Indians.
In the summer of 1799 these pioneers along with other emigrants came to
the wilds of Indiana territory, and located temporarily on a tract of land
near Metamora. The territorial lands had not at that early day been thrown
open for entry or even taken as a homestead until September of 1804.
Something over one hundred years ago, this part of Indiana was not
generally settled; there was plenty of land and only small colonies and
settlements. It was fashionable to get married early in life, have large
families and populate the country, for then a home could be secured almost
for the asking and at not to exceed one dollar and twenty-five cents per
acre.
In the autumn of 1809, James T. Osburn, Jr., who had passed his twentieth
birthday anniversary, along with seven other young men of the West Fork
community decided their happiness would be increased by committing matrimony
by wholesale and creating a little excitement and fresh material for the
gossips to digest.
Therefore, by a special agreement, the young men took their sweethearts
horseback behind them and struck the trail leading to Big Cedar creek, to
the home of Elder DeWeese, where they had their hearts and hands welded in
matrimony. This itinerant preacher did not make any charge for his services
because the Good Book suggested that mankind multiply and replenish.
This pioneer and his faithful wife set up housekeeping near the site of
St. Mary's church at Haymond, Indiana, and during his lifetime, was
prominently connected in the affairs of his community and county. He was a
typical Virginian and prided himself on assisting the needy and distressed
and demonstrating his hospitality. He considered a good name preferable to
riches, yet he is said to have possessed both.
The result of James T. Osburn's venture and matrimonial union was eleven
children, six sons and five daughters.
Just here will state for the Osburn descendants (who are numerous) that
Captain James T. Osburn was a militia captain under General Noble.
It is related that Capt. James T. Osburn, who was a crack shot with a
rifle, killed four black bears while going to a neighbor's cabin a few miles
from Haymond. This frontiersman, while out hunting for deer one antumn,
killed one of the largest timber rattlesnakes ever seen in Franklin county.
It measured twenty-four inches in circumference and had twenty-four rattles,
hence it could give warning if disturbed; he was an athlete and expert
wrestler, and often mingled with the Indians and shot with a bow and arrow
and with his trusty rifle at a mark.
Mrs. Jane Harvey, wife of Squire Harvey and eldest daughter of Capt.
James T. Osburn and wife, furnished many thrilling incidents of her girlhood
days. She related that her father when he went out on a hunting tour to be
absent several days, carried punk and flint to start a fire, for matches had
not been invented; a large needle, and thread made of catgut, plenty of
powder, bullets and patching for his gun, a hunting knife, hand-axe,
corn-pone bread, salt and pepper, and a turkey caller which composed his
outfit. On one occasion, when he had his hunting dog along and had wounded
a fine buck that had taken refuge in a hole of water in Pipe creek the dog
swam to the deer and it ripped the dog open, its entrails protruding. After
dispatching the deer, Mr. Osburn turned his attention to his only companion,
the dog, sewed up the wound and the dog lived three years. Mrs. Harvey told
how in early days, about 1829, the settlers put bells on the stock running
at large. They had a herd of cattle in the woods; the wolves got after the
cattle and they headed for home, the howling of the wolves and bells
clanging on frightened cattle made a medley of sounds most discordant to the
ear. The wolves killed one of the best heifers and devoured the animal.
Captain Osburn with the help of neighbors erected a wolf trap and next night
had the satisfaction of finding three full-grown wolves in the pen. Mrs.
Harvey accompanied her father to the trap.
One special incident related by Mrs. Jane Harvey may he of importance to
those interested in the early history of Franklin county regarding the
Indians. Many of the pioneer trappers and hunters of the Whitewater
found it was policy to keep on friendly terms with the red men. In the year
1833 when Mrs. Harvey was twelve years old, she accompanied her father and
mother to the last camp of about forty Indians located on Indian creek in
Metamora township, preparatory to their removal to a reservation. It was
their farewell pow-wow and the Indians were loath to leave such fine hunting
grounds.
Our readers will pardon us for giving incidents of pioneer people, but,
as many enjoy reminiscences of this character, will relate a few more
historical facts relating to the Osburn ancestors and their descendants.
Everybody about St. Marys of the Rock and in the Pipe creek country knows
Squire Osburn as the genial, honorable and generally hospitable farmer,
who is the last son of the original Osburn family. He carries the ear marks
as, regards sociability of his father and the Virginians of ancestral fame.
George Riley Osburn, whose death occurred November 20, 1909, was a
soldier during the Rebellion. He enlisted on January 1, 1862, in Company B,
Fifty-second Indiana infantry, and fought for the Stars and Stripes and the
preservation of our Union.
As stated previously in this narrative, George Riley Osburn, the fifth
child of his father's family of eleven, remained at the old homestead near
St. Mary's and farmed and taught school until 1867, when he and his wife and
family removed to Richland county, Illinois. He was the owner of three
hundred acres of fine black soil, but sickness and the death of his wife and
six children discouraged him to remain in a malarial country, hence Mr.
Osborn sold out and he and his remaining son, William, returned to Franklin
county where it was more healthful.
If our readers will be patient, will digress and give a brief historical
account of the naming of Cincinnati and how it came about. The emigration
westward from eastern and middle states in 1787 was very great. The
commander at Fort Harmer, at the mouth of the Muskingum, reported four
thousand five hundred persons as haying passed that post between February
and June of 1788.
In January, 1788, Matthias Denman, of New Jersey, took an active interest
in the "Simms Purchase," and located among other tracts the sections upon
which Cincinnati has been built. Mr. Filson, who had been a schoolmaster,
was appointed to name the town and he named it Losantiville, which
interpreted means: ville, the town; anti, against or opposite to; as, the
mouth; and L, for Licking river opposite.
Fort Washington was established after Fort Vincennes was erected during
the earlier part of the troublesome Indian wars under General St. Clair and
General Anthony Wayne, and the town proper was called by the name
Losantiville. As stated, in 1799, its name was changed by Governor St.
Clair to Cincinnati and was the headquarters of the military and capitol of
the Northwest territory.
During the stampede from New Jersey, Virginia and the southern states by
emigrants seeking homes in the northwest along the Ohio river to Kentucky
and what was then called Indiana territory, there were thousands who settled
in this state. Among these many settlers was the Osburn family. The wife
of Capt. James T. Osburn, Ruth Nelson, was an own cousin of President
William Henry Harrison.
To return to the Osburn genealogy, we have tried to give a scattering
history, dating back to the Revolutionary War, from the fact that Captain
Osburn's father and his father's brother were both veterans of the War for
Independence.
Ruth (Nelson) Osburn died March 20, 1857. Captain James T. Osburn's
death occurred April 5, 1859, in his seventy-third year.
It has been one hundred and fourteen years since the ancestral Osburn
family emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana, and one hundred and twenty-seven
years since Captain Osburn's father, who could not swim, fell out of his
canoe and was drowned.
Squire Osborn, now in his seventy-sixth year, and Mrs. Mary Schakel, his
aged sister, aged eighty-one years, are the only survivors of this
historical family.
Bio. of William H. Osborn-5977
History of Franklin County, Indiana, Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen &
Co., Inc., 1915. Page 1266. (transcript)
[See the bio. of William R. Osburn-1122]
[See the bio. of George R. Osburn-1113]
[See the bio. of Joseph J. Harvey]
WILLIAM H. OSBORN.
One of the pioneer families of Franklin county, Indiana, is the Osborn
family, a worthy scion of which is William H. Osborn, a substantial farmer
of Brookville township. Mr. Osborn has devoted his active career to farming
and stock raising and has been very successful in this dual ine of activity.
William H. Osborn, the son of Squire and Nancy (Loback) Osborn, was born
in Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana, December 16, 1874. His father
was born in the same township and is still living in the county. Five
children were born to Squire Osborn and wife, William H., with whom this
narrative deals; Squire, Jr., deceased; Minnie, the wife of Frank White;
Ida, the wife of Benjamin Kruthaupt, of Farmersville, Illinois; and Edward,
a farmer of Butler township, who married Carrie Kroger.
Squire Osborn, the father of William H., was a son of James T. and Ruth
(Nelson) Osborn, early settlers in Franklin county. Squire Osborn was
reared in Franklin county and served for four years in the Civil War as a
soldier in the Union army. He was in many of the hard-fought battles of
that struggle, among which were the engagements at Shiloh, Vicksburg and
Nashville. His wife died in 1888 and he still makes his home in Butler
township.
William H. Osborn received his elementary education in the schools of
Franklin county and later attended a business college at Marion, Indiana.
After leaving business college he married and started farming in Hamilton
county, Ohio. He bought eighty-three acres of land in Blue Ash township,
that county, on which he lived for several years. He then sold his farm in
Ohio and bought his present farm of two hundred acres in Brookville
township, this county, where he gives attention to grain raising, but has
devoted most of his time to stock raising. He handles high class Chester
White hogs and Holstein cattle and has been very successful in the
management of his live stock. His farm is well equipped for modern
agriculture and everything about the place indicates that his is a man of
thrift, energy and good management.
Mr. Osborn married Emma Harvey, the daughter of Joseph Harvey, and to
this union have been born three children: Alice, born April 16, 1905; Emma,
born April 3, 1907, and William, born July 26, 1910.
Mr. Osborn has alway been a stanch worker in the ranks of the Republican
party and was postmaster at Haymond during two years of Roosevelt's
administration. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. Mr. Osborn is rightly ranked among the enterprising citizens
of his community, an honor which is his by virtue of the fact that he takes
a deep and abiding interest in everything pertaining to its general welfare.
Bio. of Joseph J. Harvey
History of Franklin County, Indiana, Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen &
Co., Inc., 1915. Page 1314. (transcript)
[See the bio. of William R. Osburn-1122]
[See the bio. of William H. Osborn]
JOSEPH J. HARVEY.
Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and, as a
usual thing, men of honorable and humane impulses as well as those of energy
and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life of
the farmerhas a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of
mind and self-reliance which characterize true manhood. No truer blessing
could befall the boy of the present generation than to be reared in close
touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the field. It
has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and
sinew of the country. The majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned
statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were
indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they
attained. One of the well-known farmers of Franklin county, now living
retired, is Joseph J. Harvey.
Joseph J. Harvey was born April 9, 1844, near Haymond, and is the son of
Squire and Jane (Osborn) Harvey, the former born at Blooming Grove, Franklin
county, Indiana, and died February 18, 1880, and the latter born August 27,
1821, at St. Marys, Franklin county, Indiana, and died March 20, 1895. Both
the paternal and maternal grandparents of Joseph J. Harvey came from
Virginia. Mr. Harvey now has one brother and two sisters living, Mrs.
Prudence Clark, of Martinsville, Indiana; Mrs. Elizabeth Howard of Detroit,
Michigan, and Charles G., of Rushville, Indiana. Four children born to his
parents are deceased, Mrs. Sarah Schurbrook, Annie, Belle and Henry H.
Throughout his life, Joseph J. Harvey has been a farmer principally in
Butler township, Franklin county, Indiana, where he now owns one hundred and
sixty acres of land. During the Civil War, Mr. Harvey was a member of the
home guards under Colonel Gavin, which resisted the Morgan raiders in
southern Indiana and in this connection he performed valiant service in the
cause of the union. In the summer of 1872, Mr. Harvey went to Carroll
county, Missouri, and Leavenworth, Kansas. Early in life he was a school
teacher, having received a splendid education in the schools of Franklin
county. For eight years he taught school in Franklin, Dearborn and Ripley
counties and was considered remarkably successful in this vocation. In 1904
Mr. Harvey moved to Morris, where he owned a large warehouse and residence.
Following this time, he shipped stock and also built up a large and
lucrative business in the sale of fertilizers.
Mr. Harvey was married November 8, 1876, in Cincinnati, to Agnes
Asman, who was born in Germany, September 23, 1856, and who died February
18, 1898. She was the daughter of Werner and Jennie (Ricking) Asman, the
former of whom was born in Germany in 1830 and the latter in the same
country in 1834. Werner Asman and wife were the parents of the following
children: Gus and Henry, who are in the grocery business in Cincinnati;
Agnes, the deceased wife of Mr. Harvey; Mrs. Annie Crane, deceased; Mrs.
Jennie Pohlman, of Batesville, and Mrs. Ida Appel, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
To Mr, and Mrs. Joseph J. Harvey eight children were born: Emma D., who
was born April 18, 1877, married William Osborne, April 6, 1904, and has
three children; Annie Belle, born March 3, 1879, and died in infancy;
Charles E., who was born August 10, 1882, and now lives in California; Flora
J., born March 18, 1884, who married Fred Zoler, of Cincinnati, Ohio, June
26, 1907, and has one child; Josephine, born August 13, 1886, who on
November 27, 1914, married John Ling, who is a clerk in the Cincinnati
postoffice; Carrie A., born October 17, 1888, who lives in Morris; Ida, born
January 28, 1891, who married Albert Oelrich, April 27, 1914, and lives near
St. Louis, and Harry B., born January 16, 1893, who lives near Brookville.
Mr. Harvey is a Republican and for ten years he was precinct committeeman
and was active in the councils of his party. In 1890 he served as census
enumerator for Butler township, a position of rather exceptional
responsibility, which Mr. Harvey performed with rare credit. He was his
party's candidate for county auditor in 1902 and, although defeated, ran far
ahead of his ticket. He is a member of the Methodist church and throughout
his life, has been an active church worker. He is a man highly respected in
the community where he lives, well known for his interest in public affairs
and his support of worthy enterprises. He deserves the confidence which has
been imposed upon him by his neighbors and fellow townsmen, among whom he is
very popular, and among whom he is recognized as a very entertaining
conversationalist, his fund of reminiscences of other days in this county
furnishing a continual source of entertainment among his friends. Mr.
Harvey remembers well when Butler township was an almost unbroken
wilderness, not more than one-fourth of the land being cleared at the time
of his boyhood. He remembers seeing the wild deer in the spring of the year
jumping into the wheat and grass fields; also the merry chase the hunters
gave them in the winter seasons, often killing numbers of them. Wild
turkeys also were plentiful in that time, many being killed in the winter
season. The passenger pigeon, supposed now to be extinct, was present by
the millions in the fifties and some later. It was a wonderful sight to
note the passage of these birds over this part of the country in their
flight from their roosting places in the western part of Ripley, Scott and
Jennings counties to the northern part of Ohio to feed upon the beech mast,
returning to their roosting places in the evenings. On one occasion in the
spring of 1854, after an all-day rain, the passenger pigeons were belated on
their return trip and with weary wing they sought roosting places in the
forests close by. So numerous were they that many of the limbs were broken
from the trees. Many of the neighbors had a carnival that night,
slaughtering thousands of the roosting birds by shooting into the trees by
the glaring light of torches, one of which Mr. Harvey has vivid
recollections of carrying during the night.