Person:Stephen Osborn (3)

Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County Illinois

Stephen Osborn, whose parents were foremost in the ranks of those brave pioneers who many years ago came into the wilderness, and by dint of their strong will and persevering industry, coupled with uprightness of purpose, began the work of improvement and caused the silence to be broken by the sound of the hammer and the ax, is distinguished as being the first white male child born in Knox County. He has therefore been identified with its progress, and resident in its now busy midst, and can look back as he remembers the old, quiet days, and see the changes that civilization has made.

Mr. Osborn was born at Henderson Grove, Aug. 9, 1830. His father, Alexander Osborn, was reared in Indiana, where his parents were early settlers. The date of his birth was April 25, 1802, and at the age of 27 his second marriage occurred, he being united to Miss Ann Hendricks, in the year 1829, and he soon afterward came to Knox County. The journey was made overland, and reaching his destination they first located at Henderson Grove, where he lived a short time, then removed to Knox Township, and bought a farm near the city. He lived on this for a short time and then removed to the north part of the township and purchased a tract of unimproved land, and after cultivating it sold out and removed to Sparta Township. There he bought a farm, which after a few years he also sold, and went to the village of Wataga and bought property and lived until 1879. Again disposing of his property, he removed to Frankfort, Kan., where his friends celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and where his wife died in the fall of 1879, and four months later he followed her. His second matrimonial alliance was blest by the birth of seven children. There are two children living of the first marriage -- Elizabeth, widow of William Collins, who lives in Kansas, and E. Jane, widow of George Pitman, who lives in Lyons, Kan. The children of the second marriage are as follows: Stephen, our subject; Dorinda, wife of Samuel Vangilder, who lives in Kansas; Robert K., who lives in Marshall County, Kan.; Lucinda, wife of Martin Key, now deceased; Andrew J., who lives in Knox County; Thomas, who lives in Union County, Iowa, and William, who is at present City Marshal of Girard, Kan.

Stephen Osborn, of whom we write, was reared in his native county, and educated in the public schools. He was married April 27, 1851, to Elizabeth Vangilder, who was born in Indiana and is the daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Stephenson) Vangilder. They have five children living -- Alexander, who resides in Orion, Henry County; Ella, wife of W.W. Thompson, whose home is in Dallas County, Iowa; Samuel, Edward and George W. Anna died April 15, 1886, aged twelve years and eight months.

Mr. Osborn has lived in Knox County, with the exception of ten years spent in Mercer and Henry Counties, all his life. He bought the place he now owns in 1882, and it is situated on section 3, in Knox Township. He is at present engaged with his son, Edward, in man's original calling, that of gardening and fruit-raising, and they maintain the reputation of furnishing as fine fruit and plants as can be obtained anywhere. Both Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are hospitable and popular neighbors and friends, and good cheer is found around their pleasant hearthstone. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and show forth in their daily lives the gentle attributes of a noble religion, as exhibited in the life of Christ Jesus.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Henry, Illinois, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Clover, Henry county, ED 104, Sheet 206B, Dwelling 16, Family 17, Lines 44-49, NARA microfilm publication T9, Roll 212

2. ↑ Knox, Illinois, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Knox township, Knox county, Pg 300, Family 2031, NARA microfilm publication M653

3. ↑ Mercer, Illinois, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Rivoli township, Mercer county, Pg 11, Family 76, Lines 33-39, NARA microfilm publication M593

4. ↑ Knox, Illinois, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Knox township, Knox county, Dwelling 85, Family 90, Lines 4-14, NARA microfilm publication M432, Roll 113

5. ↑ ^5.0 5.1 Portrait and biographical album of Knox County, Illinois: containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States, also containing a history of the county from its earliest settlement up to the present time. (Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1886)
   852.