Robert Osburn 

From Richard Osburn :    Attached is the file of my great-granduncle Robert Osburn.  He lived in Clinton County, off and on, for many years.  I believe some of his descendents are still in Clinton County area.  His family changed the spelling of the surname from OSBURN to OSBORN and then to OSBORNE. 

                                                                              [9-21-1999]
ROBERT OSBURN
1825-1900

Information found in Cecil James Osburn's (1899-1986) personal effects had information indicating that his grandfather, Henry Thompson Osburn, (1833-1911) had a brother named Bob who served in the Civil War.  With that bit of information this compiler found a Robert Osburn from Clinton Co., Iowa who had served with the 26th IA Volunteer Infantry Regiment.  I requested said Robert Osburn's records from the National Archives, receiving them on 22 July 1996.  The information in those files leads me to believe that Robert Osburn and Henry Thompson Osburn were brothers.

The following was extracted from Robert Osburn's pension file:

KNOW YE, that Robert Osburn a private of Captain Edwin A. Wemple's Company (I) 26th Iowa Regiment of Infantry Vols, who was enrolled on the 12th day of August one thousand eight hundred and sixty two to serve THREE YEARS, is hereby DISCHARGED from the service of the United States, this 13th day of May 1863 at Benton Barracks, Mo. by reason of Surgeon's Certificate of Disability, Varicose Veins of the right leg, with chronic Bronchitis.  In my opinion the disease was contracted in the service.

Said Robert Osburn was born in Ross, in the State of Ohio, is 38 years of age, 6 feet 3 3/4 inches high, Dark complexion, Black eyes, Black hair, and by occupation when enrolled, a farmer.

GIVEN at Benton Barracks, Mo this 13 day of May 1863.
                                                            [Signed]  E. Bonneville, U.S.A.
                                                                           Colonel, Commanding Post

Another similar record dated 6 May 1863 states he has been unfit for duty 60 days of the preceeding two months and he states he has done no duty for five months.  The surgeon flatly states he is unfit for service.

On 8 March 1864 Robert Osburn applied for an invalid pension citing the aforementioned disabilities.  He listed his residence as Wheatland, Iowa, on this date.  He gives his reason for disability as..

"Varicose veins of the right leg caused by over-marching in bad and slippery roads in the States of Arkansas and Missisippi and chronic bronchitis.  Contracted while in the service of the United States and for further evidence refers to discharge and surgeon's certificate hereto attached."
                                                                              [signed]  Robert Osburn

In support of his application the following was submitted: [excerpt]

Wm. M. Magden a 1st Lt. of Co. "I" of the 26th Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, and now a resident of Woodbine, Harrison Co., State of Iowa declares in the aforesaid case as follows:   That Robert Osburn late a Private in Co. "I" of the 26th regiment of Iowa Volunteers of the war of 1861, while in the service of the United States, in the line of duty, and without fault or improper conduct of his, on or about the last day of October 1862, at Helena in the State of Arkansas said soldier when on picket duty in crossing a ravine fell off a log and injured his leg so that he did not recover while in service.  Afterwards he was attacked by diarrhea and when opposite Vicksburg I thought he would die.  From there he was sent to hospital at Memphis after which I do not know what happened to him.  I think I was commanding the Pickets when he fell into the ravine from the log.  Afterwards I visited him in his tent when we were opposite Vicksburg.
[no date given] [signed] Wm M. Magden

The following statements were submitted on his behalf in later years in order to continue receipt of his pension.  [They are reported here verbatim as condensed in his military files.]

J.P. Ackerman and James Devitt filed June 15, 1881, knew claimant prior to enlistment, when his health was good.  Never knew him to be troubled with varicose veins or bronchitis.

Mengo Yale--filed June 15, 1881--Says claimant's health has been bad since his discharge and up to the present time.  Has lived within a mile and a half of claimant all the time.  Does not know what his diseases are, but since he left the army has been complaining.

G.W. Thorn--filed June 15, 1881-Since /63 has lived within thirty five rods of claimant seeing him from 3 to 5 times a week, never knew of him being troubled with varicose or bronchitis before he came home from the army.  Since service has tried to earn a living by days work but is morethan half the time too weak to work.  Claimant has been unwell with his complaints, which affiant supposes he caught in the army.

James Gunigle--filed June 15, 1881--has known claimant since May 63 his health has been bad, is troubled with varicose veins and bronchitis.  (signs by mark)

Jeremiah Shade--filed June 15, 1881--same as above except that claimant has done light work for affiant, but never could do half a day's work, claimant worked for affiant from 1875 to 1879, never could do half a day's work.

Claimant--filed june 15, 1881--can't give medical proof. He was too poor to engage a doctor.  Has used herbs and patent medicines.

Dr. Thos. B. Gamble, Aug. 31, 1881, was claimant's family physician before enlistment.  Claimant was then sound and healthy.

J.P.Ackerman and J. Shade, Aug. 31, 1881--testify that claimant was sound at and prior to enlistment.

J. Shade--Aug. 31, 1881--never knew of claimant having varicose veins or bronchitis until after discharge; since discharge claimant has been unable to do anything but light work.

Dr. W.H. Botlin--Dec. 21 1881--treated claimant in Jan. 1881 for bronchial irritation.

Comrade Leslie True --filed July 17, 1882--claimant was taken sick while on steamboat going up the White River about Nov. 20, 1862 near Helena, Ark.  Saw him in hosp. at Benton Barracks, Mo. where he was being treated for "varicose veins" and "bronchitis."  Was on duty and also in hosp. with claimant.
 A.G. reports affiant present, Oct. & Nov. '62.

Comrade James Gunigle--filed July 17, 1882--At Helena, Ark. Nov. 20, 1862, had "varicose veins" and "bronchitis", caused by an accident (a fall) while on picket duty.  Was on duty at the time with claimant.
 A.G. reports affiant present Oct. & Nov. '62.

Comrade Wm M. Magden -filed July 17, 1882- Claimant in last of Oct. 1862 at Helena, Ark. while on picket duty, in crossing a ravine fell off a log and injured his leg, so that he did not recover while in service.  Was sent to hosp. in Memphis. Was in command of pickets at time of accident-Saw claimant afterward when opposite Vicksburg.
 A.G. reports affiant Segt and sub 2d Lt. present Oct. & Nov. 62
      P.O. Woodbine, Harrison Co., Iowa

Jesse Cogan-filed Apr. 12, 1884--says he first saw the claimant after his discharge in 1863, was a neighbor who lived a half mile distance from 1863 up to the year 1884 and saw him three times a week.  He does not think he worked with him or had employed him.  He further states claimant's health was poor and suffering from bronchitis and was badly swelled, and sometimes he is worse than others.  Can't give any dates.  He knows this by hearing claimant say how bad he felt.

5-14-1901-U.S. Pension Office:  I have the honor to report  that the above named pensioner [Robert Osburn] who was last paid at $16 to July 1900 has been dropped because of death 1 Sept. 1900.
  [signed]  E.F. Sperry
      Pension Agent

On Oct. 11, 1900, Mary J. Osborn, aged 68, applied for a widow's pension based on Robert Osburn's military service.  She states she was married under the name of Mary J. Boyers to Robert Osborn on the 20th day of July 1849 by a Justice of the Peace at Chillicothe, Ohio, neither she nor her husband had been previously married.  Her address at this time was 513 15th Ave., Clinton, Iowa.
                                                 [she made her mark] X

On Oct. 17, 1900, Mary J. Osburn filed an amended application:
That in my application for pension made by me on the 11th day of October, A.D. 1900 I stated that I was married to Robert Osborn  on the 20th day of July 1849.  The certificate from the office of the Probate Judge of Ross County, State of Ohio, states that myself and husband were married on the 26th day of July, A.D. 1849.  I depended on the memory of said marriage as we had no certificate of our marriage from the Justice of the Peace who married the soldier and myself and I have no family records of the marriage, and further that the date given by theProbate Judge is correct and that I am the party in error, it was my own mistake as I have stated.
                                             [she made her mark] X

On the same date, Oct. 17, 1900, Mary J. Osborn made another affidavit:
That I have no real estate in my name.  My husband owned the West-half of Lot No. Eight (8) in Block Three (3) of Gray's addition, city of Clinton, Iowa, which is valued at $400.  I have only a dower interest in the property as the soldier left his surviving six children, who are all of age, and have an interest in said real estate.  I have no interest in any other real estate, either by will or otherwise.  I have a few articles of household furniture not worth more than $50.  I have no bonds, stocks or investments of any kind or nature.  I have no income from any source and am now dependent upon others for my support.  There is no one living that is legally bound for my support.
                                              [she made her mark]  X

On the same date, Oct. 17, 1900, two people made affidavits on her behalf:
Your affiants have known the claimant for the past Eight years and Eight years respectively, and know from intimant acquaintance that the claimant has not re-married since the death of the soldier.  Your affiants also know that the claimant was never divorced from the soldier, of course she did not live with him at his death, he having been an inmate of the Insane Asylum at Independence for the past eight years or more.
                                         [signed]  Dora Hartman
                                         [signed]  Theresa Harteson

On Oct. 19, 1900, Henry Osburn, aged 67, of DeWitt, Ia. made an affidavit on her behalf:
I was acquainted with the soldier Robert Osborn and also with the claimant all my life, and know from that fact and from intimant acquaintance with them and their families, that neither the soldier or the claimant had ever been previously married, and I know that they were married in Ohio, where I was then living, in the year 1849.
                                        [signed]  Henry Osburn
[This compiler believes that the above affidavit by Henry Osburn is proof positive that Robert Osburn was the brother of Henry Thompson Osburn.  Note that Henry Osburn said he.....  was acquainted with the soldier  ---  and the claimant all my life, and know from that fact and from intimant acquaintance with them and their families.........]

May 9, 1906  -  U.S. Pension Agency  -  I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner [Mary J. Osborn] who was last paid at $8, to Oct. 4, 1905, has been dropped because of death on Oct. 21, 1905.
                                      [signed] W.V. Willcox
                                                      United States Pension Agent
[end]