BIOGRAPHY: John Osborn; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

JOHN OSBORN is a self-made man, as he started out in life a poor boy, without
friends or capital, and has made his present comfortable fortune by honest
industry and well applied business ability. He has been a resident of the
town of Newburgh for many years, and is highly esteemed and respected by his
neighbors and acquaintances. He is a veteran of the late war, having enlisted
in defense of the Union soon after attaining his majority, August 15, 1861, as
a private in Company K, Forty-eighth New York Volunteers. He was mustered into
service at Ft. Hamilton, from there was sent to Washington, and thence to
Annapolis, Md., the first engagement in which he participated being the battle
of Ft. Royal, S. C. Later he was present at the siege of Ft. Pulaski, and was
wounded at the battle of Ft. Wagner. A bullet passed the entire length of his
left arm above the elbow, and he was sent to the regimental hospital, where he
remained for a few weeks. He then went with his regiment to St. Augustine and
to Jacksonville, Fla., taking part in many prominent engagements and lesser
skirmishes. August 20, 1864, he was mustered out as a private, after having
served faithfully for three years.

Mr. Osborn was born April 1, 1840, near Pleas-ant Valley, Ulster County, N. Y.
His father, William T. Osborn, a native of the same county, is of German
descent, and is still in the possession of good health and activity of body
and mind. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Underhill, was born
in New York, and is still living, making her home in Newburgh. Both . are now
about eighty-four years of age. They are the parents of five sons and five
daughters, namely: Eliza, Joseph D., John, Smith, David, Jane, Daniel, Mary,
Sarah and Kate.

John Osborn was reared on a farm, and attended the common school of the
locality more or less until he was sixteen years of age. He then left home to
make his own way in the world, and for a few years was employed by farmers.
When he was nearly twenty years of age he commenced working at the carpenter's
trade, and became thoroughly conversant with the business in all its details.
Then followed the time when he was absent fighting his country's battles, and
after his return home he settled in Newburgh, and continued his former
vocation as a carpenter from that time until 1880. He then moved to the farm
of sixty-six acres which he is now engaged in cultivating, and which he is
managing with good ability. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic,
and in politics is a Republican.

November 15, 1865 Mr. Osborn wedded Antoinette, daughter of Thomas and Clara
(Gardner) Edwards. She was born in Ulster County, May 21, 1846, and by her
marriage became the mother of four children, namely: Frank B., who died at the
age of six years; Harrison, who died when but three years of age; Charles D.,
who is still living with his parents; and Elsie J., who is also at home. The
family are highly esteemed by all who know them in this locality, and are
honest, industrious citizens.