Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Osborne, Robert 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 7:34 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

OSBORNE, Robert—Among the men whose activities in the mining fields of Grundy 
County have brought them into prominence, few, perhaps, are better known than 
Robert Osborne, serving his fifth term as a member of the State Executive 
Board of the United Mine Workers of America. From earliest boyhood he has been 
connected with mining operations, and has risen, step by step, from the 
humblest position to one that makes him an important factor in settling 
controversies between operator and miner. Mr. Osborne is a native of 
Ayreshire, Scotland, born in 1873, a son of William and Jeanette (Mitchell) 
Osborne. William Osborne was employed as a miner in his native Scotland until 
the year 1884, when he emigrated to the United States and entered the mines in 
Illinois. There, during the same year, he was joined by his wife and six 
children, the latter being: Robert, William, Hugh, James, Jeanette, who is now 
Mrs. Stuart; and Mary, who also married a Mr. Stuart. The parents still 
survive and make their home at Gillespie, Ill., where Mr. Osborne is employed 
in the mines.

At an early age, Robert Osborne began to assist in the family support, working 
one day in the thread mill of his native place, while the following day would 
be spent in attendance at the public school. Thus he continued until coming to 
America, when, at the age of eleven years, he became a trapper in the mines in 
Illinois. When he came to Diamond, he worked first as a mule-driver and was 
subsequently promoted to coal digger, and was so employed in 1902, when he was 
appointed deputy sheriff under Sheriff Joseph Frances, an office which he held 
nearly four years. In 1905 Mr. Osborne was elected sub-district president of 
the Wilmington field, and in 1908 became a member of the State Executive 
Board, in which capacity he has continued to act to the present time. A man of 
the utmost integrity, he has won the confidence of those with whom he has been 
associated, and has been an important factor in settling disputes among the 
miners and operators. He maintains offices at Coal City, and at all times has 
been active in promoting the best interests of his community and its people. 
Mr. Osborne was married (first) in 1896 to Miss Allie Morrison, and they 
became the parents of three children, namely: Esther; Isabel, who died at the 
ago of four years; and a child who died in infancy. Mrs. Osborne died at the 
time of her last child’s birth. On September 15, 1908, Mr. Osborne was married 
(second) to Catherine Miller, who was born in Scotland, and came to America as 
a child, and for eight years acted as assistant postmaster at Coal City under 
Postmaster Bennett. One child, Margaret, has been born to this union. Mr. and 
Mrs. Osborne are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to 
the Knights of Pythias and the Order of Scottish Clans. A Republican in 
politics, he has been active in the ranks of his party, and at the present 
time is acting in the capacity of precinct committeeman.

page 878

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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