James Madison Osborn

ALLEN, COX, GENTRY, GRAY, GUTHRIE, KINCADE, MCKIBBAN, OSBORN, PALMER, SMAY, STEWART, WERNER, YOUNG

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/28/2006 at 10:57:18

“History of Madison County Iowa and Its People”
Herman A. Mueller, Supervising Editor
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915

James M. Osborn, who was for many years a successful farmer residing on section 16, Walnut township, was born in Johnstown, New York, on the 2d of May, 1842, a son of Jed and Harriett (Stewart) Osborn, the former of whom was born in Maine of French descent and the latter born in New Hampshire of Scotch ancestry. Jed Osborn, who was by trade a basket-maker, came west in 1856 and took up his abode in the vicinity of Galesburg, Illinois, where he remained for fourteen years. In 1870 the family came still farther west and located upon a farm in Walnut township, this county, which the father purchased. He lived there until his death, which occurred in 1873, and his widow, who passed away in 1899, also died upon the home farm.

James M. Osborn began learning the basket-maker's trade with his father when quite young and while still a boy proved of great assistance to him. His education was that of most of the boys of his time, as it was acquired by attending the district schools. Upon laying aside his textbooks he concentrated his attention upon the making of baskets until he was twenty-nine years of age, using elm and oak splints. He was married at his father's home in 1870 and then began his independent career. He purchased land in Walnut township, where he resided until his death, with the exception of one year, which he spent in Illinois. On selling his farm, he for several years rented the place on section 16 where his widow now lives. He proved an efficient agriculturist and stock-raiser and devoted the greater part of his time to those pursuits, but never lost his skill as a basket-maker and in his spare moments worked at that trade. His demise, which occurred on the 29th of January, 1911, was the occasion of much sincere regret.

Mr. Osborn was married in 1870 to Miss Parmelia Young, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Roberts) Young, the former born in Maryland on the 24th of April, 1821, and the latter born in Pennsylvania, of German descent. The father was a harness and saddle maker and in 1861, when Mrs. Osborn was but twelve years of age, he brought his family to Walnut township, Madison county. He purchased land here and continued to reside thereon until 1892, when he moved to Winterset, where he died on the 25th of August, 1896. His widow passed away in Winterset at the advanced age of eighty-one years on the 15th of September, 1908.

Mr. and Mrs. Osborn became the parents of eleven children, as follows: Lorena is the wife of Frank McKibban, a blacksmith of Macksburg, Iowa, and they have nine children, Gladys, Bessie, Glen, Marion, Marie, Zada, Joseph, Josephine and Bernice. Kenton, a farmer residing near Twin Falls, Idaho, has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Kittie Guthrie, and his second with Miss Alma Kincade, by whom he has a daughter, Alta. Frank, who is also farming in the neighborhood of Twin Falls, Idaho, married Miss Belva Walters and they have three children, Wilmer, Retta and Neva. Mina became the wife of Sylvester Guthrie and passed away in 1906, leaving a child, Galen. Jed, who is farming in Walnut township, married Miss Viola Cox, of Madison county, and they have two children, Mildred and Lorraine. Samuel, a farmer of Shannon City, Iowa, married Miss Flora Werner, by whom he has five children, Harold, Anna, Kenton, Lucian and Irwin. Jesse, who is farming near Eden, Idaho, married Miss Frances Gentry, of Winterset, and they are the patents of five children, Amy, Nona, Lola, Virgil and Edna. Darwin, who is farming in Walnut township, this county, married Miss Myrtle Gray, of Winterset, and they have two children, Dorothy and Claude. Earl, who is following agricultural pursuits in Monroe township, married Miss Sallie Palmer, of Walnut township, and is the father of three children, Homer, Hallie, and Maxwell. Lawrence, an agriculturist of Walnut township, married Miss Cecil Allen, of that township, and to them have been born two children, Maxine and Richard. Ethel gave her hand in marriage to Robert Palmer, a farmer of Walnut township, and they have three children, Georgia, Elwood and Hazel. Thirty-six grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are living and one great-grandchild, the daughter of Gladys Smay, who is the eldest child of Mrs. Lorena McKibban.

Mr. Osborn was a republican and consistently cast his ballot in support of the principles of that party. His widow is a member of the Christian church and can be counted upon to further any good work. Since her husband's death she makes her home with her son Jed and has many warm personal friends. Mr. Osborn was most highly respected where he was best known, a proof of sterling worth of character and rectitude.

Madison Biographies maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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