OSBORNE, Martha1853-1904

OSBORNE, KEAN, DRAKE

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 3/11/2008 at 11:58:06

Osage News
Dec. 15, 1904

Miss Martha Osborne was born in Fulton Co., Indiana April 10, 1853.

In her infancy her parents moved west settling here where there then was only a few log houses and the timid deer roamed over the prairie that now marks the site of our fair city. Here she attended the public school somewhat unlike the present priviledges, and also for a brief term was a student at the Cedar Valley Seminary. With these and a practical education gained through life's experience, and with the influence of a devoted Christian father and mother who early taught her to pray, she was enabled to lay a good foundation. In her early girlhood she was impressed with the great need of salvation through Christ and was converted and joined the Free Methodist church.

After the breaking up of the home by the death of the mother, December 10, 1885, like many another, she went out to meet the sterner realities of life. Much of the time she made her home with her sister, Mrs. J. L. Kean. In 1890, she went to California and spent nearly four years there.

During the past two or three years she had been seriously ill a number of times with heart and lung trouble but each time rallied and was able to be about again and work some. Being of an industrious and practical nature the greatest calimity that could befall her was to be unable to work.

Early in November she came from Cannon Falls, to visit her sisters, Mrs. H.M. Drake and Miss Ella Osborne. As the cold weather came on she grew worse. She was so anxious to get well and in her intense suffering, over and over again asked her loved ones to help her but she never lost faith in God or guestioned His dealings, and frequently said the will of the Lord be done.
God's word was frequently on her lips and she said,"It means much to be a Christian in the struggle of sickness and death." In the early morning at the breaking of the day, Wednesday, December 7, 1904 she passed away.

The funeral was held at the home of her sister, Miss Ella Osborne, Thursday afternoon, conducted by Dr. Clark of the Methodist church, who talked to the bereaved family and friends of Heaven from Rev. 21, and "Let not your heart be troubled", John 14. A girl friend of long ago assisted in singing the precious hymns she loved so well.