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Biography - James A. Osborn

JAMES A. OSBORN, manager of the Parkersburgh Mill, in which he also owns an interest, is one of the leading citizens of this community. His life record is as follows: He was born on the 4th of March, 1849, near Lancaster, Ill., and is a son of Daniel Osborn. His father was a native of Virginia, and came with his parents to Illinois about 1825, the family locating in Lawrence County. Daniel was united in marriage with Nancy Thompson. In Lawrence County, he erected one of the first gristmills there built, and carried on business in that line for a number of years. He now resides on a farm near Lancaster.

The subject of this sketch spent the greater part of his boyhood days upon a farm and in the common schools, where the most of his education was acquired. For three months, however, he was a student in an academy at Friendsville, Ill. At the age of twenty-two years, he began working at the milling trade, and three months later he took charge of one of the largest mills in southern Illinois. This was located at Friendsville. Since that time he has operated and managed mills at various places.

On the 27tli of February, 1871, was celebrated the marriage of James Osborn and Mary French, a daughter of Newton and Sarah French. Her parents were pioneer settlers of Lawrence County. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children, a son and two daughters, namely: Rosa, now the wife of A. L. Seibert; Nora and Charles M. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of Death, and the two younger children are still under the parental roof. The Osborn household is the abode of hospitality and its members rank high in social circles.

In political sentiment, Mr. Osborn is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. It was in 1890 that he purchased an interest in the Parkersburgh Flouring Mill, of which he has since had charge and he has proved himself an able manager. He thoroughly understands the business in all its details and has therefore controlled affairs successfully. Since becoming connected with the mill, he has enlarged it and put in the new roller process. The present capacity is fifty barrels of flour per day. This finds a ready sale in the surrounding markets and the owners of the Parkersburgh Mill are enjoying a flourishing trade. Mr. Osborn is a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, and is widely and favorably known in this community.

Extracted 12 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from 1893 Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties, Illinois, page 251.


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