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Author: John_Himself
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Emily's obituary appears in the Bowling Green Register for 23 Oct 1884:
Died: Mrs. Col. John Osborne, formerly a resident of Bowling Green, lately of Greencastle,
died at the residence of her daughter in Paris, IL on the 10th instant.
Mrs. Osborne removed from Bainbridge to Bowling Green in 1836, two years before the
original brick court house, which was destroyed by fire in 1852, was erected, only eleven
years after the organization of the county.
Her husband first engaged in merchandise, then studied law. Afterwards, he was county
auditor for eight years, and represented the county one term in the legislature. He also
served with distinction as Captain of Co. D. Ind Reg. Ind. Vol. in the Mexican War, as
well as Lt. Col. Of the 31st Ind Regt. in the War of the Rebellion. Much of his success
in life was due to faith and the indomitable spirit of his wife. She was 73 years of age,
a native of Flemingburgh [sic], Ky.
After Emily's death, John visited between the homes of Mary and Virgil Peck near
Greencastle and his other daughters, Zibiah and Ann, in Paris, Illinois. His obituary
appeared in the Greencastle Banner of Thursday, 16 June 1887.
DEATH OF COL. JOHN OSBORN
Col. John Osborn died at the residence of his son-in-law, Virgil Peck, near the city, on
Saturday, aged 77 years. The funeral occurred Monday afternoon frm Mr. Peck's
residence, and was conducted by his pastor, Rev. G. W. Bainum. On the way to the
cemetery, Greencastle Post, G. A. R., joined the funeral cortege, and assisted in paying
the last rites to this veteran of two wars. Six of his comrades of the Mexican war, Judge
Eckels, W. H. Munson, Dr. Rogers, Col. Morrison, Capt. Smiley and J. W. McGrew, acted as
pall-bearers. After the last prayer was said, a salute was fired as the closing scene,
and Col. Osborn had been buried, was he had always wished, with the honors of war.
Col. John Osborn was a native of Maysville, Kentucky. He joined the Presbyterian church
when quite a young man, and maintained his relation with it until his death, often holding
the office of elder. He came to Indiana in 1832, and not long afterward became a citizen
of this county. Subsequently, about 1840, he removed to Clay county, where he resided
until 1860. During much of that time he took an active part in politics as a Whig, being
once sent to the Legislature and serving several terms as Auditor of the county. During
the Mexican war he served as a captain in the Second Indiana Regiment, and was wounded at
Buena Vista.
After his removal to Greencastle in 1860, he allied himself with the friends of the Union,
and assisted in raising the first company of soldiers recruited here. In his speech on
that occasion he said -
"They have laid traitorous hands on the flag I have fought under, and which I will
ever support. Young men, stand by your country."
The next day a rebel-sympathizing Democrat said in his presence that the boys in the
company just raised would not fight. This taunt greatly aroused Col. Osborn, and in great
indignation he exclaimed - "I helped to recruit that company, sir, and I am here to
prove to you that it will fight." The rebel-sympathizer had nothing more to say.
He afterward recruited a company for the 31st Regiment, and was elected Lieutenant Colonel
of that organization. Col. Craft being promoted Brigadier General, July 16, 1862, Lieut.
Col. Osborn was made Colonel of the regiment. He went with it to the field and
participated in the most of its engagements, particularly at Shiloh, until his
resignation, July 14, 1863, when he was succeeded by Col. John T. Smith, of Bloomfield
[Green Co., IN]. After returning home he was a candidate for Clerk of the county, and in
1864 was made chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, holding the place until
1866. He was appointed Postmaster by President Lincoln, and served until 1874, to the
satisfaction of the public, as he did in every position to which he was called.
Col. Osborn was married in 1833 to Miss Emily McCorkle, who died two years since. Five
children were born to them - one son and four daughters. The son, Milton A. Osborn, died
in 1875. The daughters survive. They are Mrs. Virgil Peck, of this vicinity; Mrs. Col.
Dole, of Paris, Illinois, Mrs. Mills, of Denver, Colorado, and Mrs. Laughlin, of Paris,
Ill.
Col. Osborn had the heroic instinct well developed, and was ever ready to patriotically
respond to any call of his country. He was also a man of kindly disposition, and
integrity of character. Since his retirement from the Post Office he spent his time,
alternately, with his daughters at Paris, Illinois, and with his daughter here.
An abrieviated death notice in the Brazil Register on Thursday, 16 June 1887 appeared in
the 'personal' column.
"- Col. John Osborne, thrice county auditor, and twice representative from Clay
county, a Mexican soldier and lieutenant colonel of the old 'iron regiment,' the
31st in the late war, died at Greencastle Saturday, aged 77 years."
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