Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-06-06
THE LATE JUDGE OSBORN.
An Outline of His Eventful and Honorable
Career

A correspondent of the Salt Lake
City Tribune furnishes the following
concerning the late Judge M. b. Os-
born:
Few men have had so many loving
friends in so many parts of the coun-
try as Judge Osborn, whose death oc-
CURED in this city on Monday after
noon, May 30. He was a man of such
warm and generous heart that he
drew everybody to him, and his
Christion life was so cheerful and
beautiful and so free from blemish
that everybody trusted and admired
him. And during his long life of
more than 80 years he formed ac
quaintences in all parts of the coun-,
try among its noblest men. He was
Just the kind of man to transform ac-
quaintences into friends.
His father was Jeremiah Osborn.
of East Hampton, l.. L., and his
mother was Lucy Peck, of Lynne.
Conn. Judge Osborn was born in
the city of Troy, n. Y, on March 5,
1908. His school days ended when
he was Is, but he must have been a
diligent student, for he was after
ward successful teacher. As one
looks over the record of his noble
life he cannot help eXclaiming: What
a stirring, active, eventfui life Judge
Osborn livedi How many important
enterprises for the commercial, edu-
cational and moral welfare of man
kind he helped to inaugurate and
carry forward in the various places
where he lived.
His long life may be conveniently
divided into three periods, the first
extending to November, 1887. Dur
ing the seven years ending with 1925
ne was chief clerk and bookkeeper in
connections with commission and
shipping houses in Richmond, Va,
Plymouth, \. c., and New York City.
1t was during this time that he
formed those careful and mcthodical
business habits which made him an
efficient business man all his life.
Three important events are connected
with this period, namely: His con-
version at Lebanon Conn, in July,
1928; his marriage July 20. 1S47. at
Heaton, N Y. to Miss Eliza A. w.
Grant. of Cornwall, England, and his
starting in business for himself in
1929. From the latter date until
1885, he was engaged in the lumber
and whaling business at Sag Harbor,
l.. l. During the great financial
panic of 1887. largely through the
carelessness of others whom he was
irving to aid. his comfortable for
tune was entirely swept away.
This was the beginning of the
second period. when he had to begin
life anew. This caused his removal
with his wife and children to And
over, Henry county, H., in Novem-
Der. 1886. and thence to Geneseo in
1910, in which latter place he lived
until 1915. While in this part of Ill
inoiS. his fellow citizens put him in
various positions of public trust,
such as Justice of the peace. county
commissioner and collector of taxes.
He also helped to organize the acad-
emv at Gencseo. In July, 1915, lie
removed to Rock Island. where he
spent the remainder of his active life
up to the close of this second period
in 1871. In Rock Island he was an
active business man for about %
wears. engaging in land agency and
the insurance and lumber business
In this city he helped to organize
many enterprises for the good of the
town. such as the Rock Island bank,
the telegraph company, the gas COM
pany. the Rock Island Plank Road IL
Bridge company and the public
library. He was also one of the
trustees of the Rock Island universe
tv and of Knox college, and assisted
in organizing many churches and
Sunday schools.
Judge Osborn was always noted
for his love of country. This was
well illustrated in 1861, when, al
though nearly 60 years of age, he
offered his services to the govern
ment and in November, 1861, was
appointed assistant paymaster in the
navy-where he served for two years,
until failing health compelled him
to resign. This was no holiday bust
ness. for he was connected with the
Gulf Blockading Squadron, where he
was exposed to peril in many active
engagements, and to constant hard
ship.
In 1868 he suffered from stroke
of paralysis, from which he never en-
tirelv recovered. The unbounded
confidence of his fellow citizens in
his honor and integrity was well il
Illustrated in 1866 during the pro-
lonUed contest for the postmaster
ship in Rock Island. At last the rep
resentative men of all parties said
they would be entirely satisfied with
the appointment of Judge Osborn
Accordingly President Johnson APP
pointed him, and he served the full
term of four years, giving entire
satisfaction to all, and Introducing
some new features for the accommo-
dation of the public. In 1870 he was
urged to be the citizens candidate
With tho assurance that