Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 23 December 2004

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768

JOHN OSBORN (deceased) was born in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, in 1805; his father, John Osborn, came to Lebanon in 1796, and settled on a farm adjoining the eastern corporation of Lebanon, where he, in 1808, built a house, which is still standing and which is yet considered a good residence. He was with Daniel Boone when that famous Indian hunter discovered Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, to which state Mr. Osborn had moved from Virginia when very young. Our subject's mother, Mary (Clark) Osborn, was a daughter of Rev. Daniel Clark, a pioneer Baptist preacher, who preached in Lebanon about the year 1800. Our subject remained on the farm until 14 years of age, in the meantime obtaining a limited education by attending the Lebanon schools during the winter months. After leaving the farm, he learned and worked at pottery-making several years, after which he conducted a manufactory of that ware for several years more. At the death of his father, he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the estate and moved to the old farm, which his estate still owns and which he farmed until he retired and moved to Lebanon. He traveled through the West from 1828 to 1854, and also spent eight years in Springfield, Ohio, where he worked at his trade. In 1827, he married Miss Amy Ann Hackney, daughter of Obadiah Hackney, a prominent plow manufacturer of Lebanon. She died in 1855, after having borne him eleven children, four of whom still survive. In 1856, he was again married, to Mrs. Emeline (Dee) Grow, by whom he had no children. Mr. Osborn died in Lebanon Dec. 26, 1881. He was a careful, frugal and economical man, and had at his death amassed a considerable fortune. He was a zealous member of the M. E. Church, in which he was for many years and up to the time of his death an officer. His widow and a grandchild are the only members of his family living in Lebanon.