Osgood, Perry

OSGOOD, ODELL, MARTIN, BABCOCK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 13:40:10

Perry Osgood

In no portion of the world is the result of patient industry illustrated more forcibly than in the great west. Could the young man of thirty years ago have had the power to look forward to the future and discover not only what he himself would accomplish, but what would be done by his fellow-citizens, he would have labored with even greater courage than he has done. Among those whose energy, tireless perseverance and judicious management have contributed to the progress of the material interests of Jasper County is the gentleman above named, who owns a farm located upon section 19, Washington Township.

A native of Wood County, Ohio, the subject of this sketch was born near the city of Bowling Green, December 24, 1839. His father, Joel Osgood, was a native of Almira, N. Y., born in 1805. The paternal grandfather, Thomas, was one of three brothers who emigrated from England to America and established homes in the east. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. The mother of our subject was Anna, daughter of Peter Odell. She was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1810, and was reared to womanhood in the county of her birth.

After his marriage Joel Osgood resided for a few years in Almira, N. Y., and then disposing of his property, he removed to Pennsylvania, near the state line. From there he went to Wood County, Ohio, and located upon a farm near Bowling Green, where he remained about sixteen years. Subsequently he spent fifteen years upon a farm in Lenawee County, Mich., and from there came to Iowa in 1864, purchasing the farm where our subject now lives. At that time there were few improvements upon the place, and the surrounding country was sparsely settled. Undaunted, however, by difficulties, he worked untiringly upon his farm, which he placed under excellent cultivation. In 1874 he retired from active business cares and removed to Mitchellville, where he died August 4, 1893, at the age of eighty-eight. His wife died in that place in 1888.

Ten children were born to the union of Joel and Anna Osgood, five of whom are now living. Perry, who is the sixth in order of birth, was a child of nine years when he accompanied his parents to Michigan, and there he grew to manhood. In 1863 he came to Iowa and for a time resided in Jasper County. In 1865 he purchased a farm in Polk County, near the Jasper County line, where he conducted agricultural pursuits for six years. Meantime, in 1866, he went on a freight train to Denver, taking with him large quantities of flour and meat, and being absent from home about one year.

In 1871, disposing of his Polk County farm, Mr. Osgood purchased eighty acres in Washington Township, Jasper County, to which he added another eighty-acre tract three years afterward, making a total of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 20. Afterward he sold that place and purchased the old homestead, where he now resides. The place comprises two hundred and ten acres, upon which general farming and stock raising are conducted. Mr. Osgood owns twenty-five head of cattle, about one hundred head of hogs and seventeen Norman horses, which he will sell to horse buyers. The success, which has crowned his exertions is justly merited, and is the reward of his patient perseverance. While he has been successful as a rule, he has nevertheless had his share of misfortunes, and in the failure of the B. F. Allen Bank at Des Moines he lost $800.

In Jasper County, Iowa, December 30, 1870, Mr. Osgood married Miss Amanda Martin, who was born in Dane County, Wis., February 2, 1851. She is the youngest of three children comprising the family of Henry M. and Margaret A. (Babcock) Martin, the former having been born and reared in Vermont, whence he removed to Wisconsin in an early day; he now makes his home in Minnesota. Mrs. Martin died when her daughter Amanda was small. Mr. and Mrs. Osgood are the parents of six children, namely: Stella A., Della M., Ora A., John H., Eva P., and Vida C.

In politics Mr. Osgood is a Democrat, and is a firm adherent of temperance principles. He has served as Road Supervisor, and in other positions of trust and honor. His record is that of an honorable, upright man, whose high personal character has made him an influence for good in this county. I so closely has he identified himself with the township of Washington, that in acquiring wealth he has furthered its material prosperity and enhanced its progress. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 318.