BIO: Uriah D. OSMAN, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm
_____________________________________________________________________ 

Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
_____________________________________________________________________ 

  URIAH D. OSMAN, who is now practically living retired upon his farm 
in Potter township, Centre county, was born September 22, 1831, near 
Millersburg, Dauphin Co., Penn., a son of John and Elizabeth (Flisher) 
Osman.  The grandfather, Andrew Osman, was a farmer of Dauphin county, 
where his death occurred.  The family was originally from Ireland, but 
was founded in this country at a very early date in its history.
  In the fall of 1837, John Osman, with his family, removed to The 
Loop, in Potter township, Centre county, making the journey in four-
horse wagons, via Lewistown and over Seven mountain.  They stopped with 
the maternal grandmother while the father was looking up a location, 
and decided to make their

304  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

home in Potter township.  By trade the father was a weaver, at which he 
worked to some extent after coming to Centre county.  After the death 
of his wife February 12, 1875, he resided with our subject in Centre 
Hall, and there passed away December 28, of the same year.  Their 
remains were interred in the Centre Hall cemetery.  They were faithful 
members of the Evangelical Church, and highly respected by all who knew 
them for their sterling worth.  In politics the father was a Democrat.
  To this worthy couple were born eleven children, namely: Amanda, wife 
of William Au-man, of Spring Mills, Centre county; Mary A., widow of 
David Rhue, of Wallace Run, Penn.; Uriah D.; Jeremiah, a resident of 
Iowa; Israel, who was a member of the 210th P. V. I. during the 
Rebellion, and is now living in Millhall, Penn.; Hiram, who was also a 
Union soldier, and is now a resident of Altoona, Penn.; James, who 
belonged to Company D, 148th P. V. I., and is now a resident of 
Michigan; Daniel, who belonged to the same company as James, and was 
killed at the battle of Chancellorsville; Catharine, widow of Lewis 
Muselman, of Centre Hall; John, of Lamar, Penn.; and Canada, who died 
at the age of nine years.
  The first school which Uriah D. Osman attended was held in what was 
known as the Sink school house at The Loop; but his educational 
advantages were very meagre, for at the tender age of eight years he 
began to earn his own living.  After living for six weeks with James 
Powley, a farmer, he began learning the tailor's trade under Henry 
Holtzman, of Centre Hall, and during his apprenticeship received only 
his board and clothes.  When he had mastered the trade, his employer 
left Centre Hall, and Mr. Osman assumed charge of the business at the 
same stand.  For over twenty years he was the leading tailor of the 
place, and only laid aside his trade when compelled to do so by ill 
health, removing to his present farm in February, 1871.  It comprises 
sixty acres, which he purchased for $6,000, and to its cultivation and 
improvements devoted his time and attention for many years with most 
gratifying results.
  Mr. Osman married Dorothy Stover, who lived near Centre Hall, and to 
them were born three children: William F., now a resident of Worth 
county, Mo.; Clara A., wife of Horace Zerley, of Salt Lake City, Utah; 
and John A., a bricklayer of Bellefonte, Centre county.  For his second 
wife he wedded Catharine Royer, of Potter township, by whom he had one 
son, Thomas M., a teacher, of Mercur, Utah.  In his political views, 
Mr. Osman is a Democrat, but is not radical, reserving his right to 
support the best men regardless of party affiliations.  He is a man of 
more than ordinary intelligence, whose education has been almost wholly 
self-acquired, and through his own untiring labor he has secured a 
comfortable competency, which enables him to spend his declining years 
in ease and retirement from active labor.  He is a member of the 
Lutheran Church, in which he has filled various offices, and he has the 
respect and esteem of all who know him.