Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1911-11-16
HOW AN IOWA LAD
BECAME A MILLIONAIRE

lndlanOia, 1a.-From chore boy in an
Indianola livery stable 80 years ago TO
/ the head of the largest calendar COM
pany In the world, capitalized at mil
lions, is the remarkable record of Burke
Osborne who with his wife, visited the
scenes OF his student days in Simpson
last week
Mr. and Mrs. Osborne were the
guests OF Mr.. and Mrs. D. w. Hustled.
Mr. Osborne left Sunday for Chicago
to attend the national conference OF
progressive leaders. Mrs Osborne re-
managing in 1ndianaola until Tuesday
Loren Talbot. formerly of the Sioux
City Tribune, has written the following
story OF Mr.. Osbornes success for the
Advocate Tribune. of Indianola:
Without cent in his pocket. but full
OF ambition and with propensity for
hard work, Mr.. Osborne came to In
dlanola from Delaware county some-
thing over quarter of a century ago.
In conversation with Senator A. ".
Proudfoot. while in Indianola. Mr..
Osborne declared that he worked for
IS a month just before he took up his
residence in lnd1anola.
Upon his arrival here. he went to
work In Willet Carpenters livery
stable. which is the stable located near
the electric light plant. He slept on
a cot in the barn. ami did chores for
his board. attending high school dur
ing the day
On Saturdays, Mr. Osborne 'bucked"
wood and did odd jobs around the
town to keep him in clothing and to
pay his expenses in school. Mr.. Car
penter upon whom he called while
here. declares that he has known him
to go to work at o'clock in the
morning, and work until II o'clock at
night. saving wood.
Il don't know when he ever studied
or when he ate his meals" said Mr..
Carpenter. but he generally had his
lessons. He was the hardest worker
] ever saw, and he always had every
thing spic and span about the barn."
Mr. Osborne "chored" for Mr.. Car
penter two years. The second winter
his mother and sister, Halle, came to
lndiancla. and Mr.. Osborne. supported
them, besides paying his own expenses
in the high school. He entered Simp-
SON college about 1885, and completed
the preparatory and freshman years.
He won the Buxton oratorlcal prize
during his first year. and at the age
of 10 years was elected editor of the
Simpsonian. He was known as the
kid editor During his vacation he
sold Views, and during hay harvest
one summer worked on the farm of the
late Senator Burkett
MI. OSDOIIle was one VI tHS IllpSI
active men that ever attended Sfmp-
son. He was in on everything, was
fine student and enjoyed a prank
about as we'll as the next man. There
are some of Indlanoa's citizens who
remember one or two sessions he had
with Corncy Van Tassel-but what's
the use-noth1nS ever came of them.
They were only boys pranks. Anil IL
some of the hosts at college functions
% years ago are still wondering what
became of the ice cream or the boiled
tongue for the guests, it's safe guess
that Burke Osborne could throw a
little light on The subject if properly
approached.
In 1856. Ms Osborne left Simpson
and went to Red Oak where he en-
tered a partnership with Tom Murphy.
They purchased the Red Oak Inde-
entered the calendar business. They
sured q patent for colorng which
enabled them to make a calendar more
cheaply. which was u large factor in
The success of MIR. Osborne and Mr..
Murphy The venture WIS a success
from the first year, they realized a big
profit on the Business.
In 1887, Nl.i. osborne married Miss
Jessie Granam, one of the popular
young women of Indianoa, and Il stu
dent in Simpson. Miss Graham was
the daughter of A. j. Graham, who at
He was nephew of Capt. j. NJ.
Browne. Miss Graham was a member
of the ri Beta Phi sorority, and took
an active part in the social affairs of
Indlanola
The partnership with Mr.. Murphy
continued until 10 or IL years ago.
when Mr. Osborne went to New York
city, and organized the osborne Calen-
lar company, of which he is the head.
1t is Incorporated for many millions OF
dollars. The company absorbed
number of minor concerns and is nov
the largest Of the kind in the world.
During the past few years. Mr.. Os-
borne has taken an active interest in
New Jersey politics and is rapidly be-
coming known nationally along poll
teal lines. He is radical insurgent.
lie displayed while in college, and is
president of the New Jersey Progress
siye leasae. He took an active part in
the last New Jersey state convention.
Mr. Osborne is a personal friend Of
Woodrow Wilson. and while differing
with him in politics, has the greatest
admiration for the man. He is a
staunch supporter of Senator Robert
NJ La Toilette.
While in Indianola, Mr. Osborne WIS.,
tied some of his boyhood haunts. He
particularly enjoyed his visits With
willis Carpenter and other old friends.
He made a speech in chapel and was
much impressed with the growth of
the institution. He left Indianola to
attend the national progressive con-
ference in Chicago. and will return to
Red Oak this week for a short visit
before going east
Signs of Gentility.