Jonathan Osborne, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Jonathan Osborne
JONATHAN OSBORNE is a well-to-do farmer of Porter county, Indiana, whose success in his chosen field of activity has made it possible for him to retire from business and pass his remaining days in the pursuit of whatever interests seem most desirable to him in the declining years of his life. He was born in Wayne county, on March 13, 1832, and his entire life has been passed within the confines of his native state. He is the son of Jonathan and Rachel (Small) Osborne. Jonathan Osborne, Sr., was born in North Carolina, his wife, Rachel, was born in South Carolina. Prior to their advent into Indiana, the Osborne family of which Jonathan, Sr., was the only son, moved to Ohio, settling near Chillicothe, but their stay there was but a brief one. Jonathan Osborne, Sr., and his wife were the parents of David, Nathan, Mary, John, William, Jason, Jonathan, Eli and Rachel; Jonathan and Eli are the sole surviving members of this goodly family, and Eli is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in Missouri at the present time.
Jonathan Osborne, Sr., purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land at a government land sale in 1834, and devoted his time to the cultivation of his property thereafter. His children were reared amidst rural scenes and influences, receiving such primitive education as was afforded in their day by the cabin schools of the period, but in later years Jonathan, Jr., became a student in a co-educational college at Valparaiso, Indiana. He was a studious and hard working young man, who made the best of his opportunities at all times, and a few years after he had completed his education he purchased the home farm from his father, were he continued in the successful operation and management of the place from then until he retired from active farm life.
In 1865 the young man married Miss Bettie Hixon, daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Haskell) Hixon becoming his wife. She was born in LaPorte county, Indiana, in 1845. Her father was a prosperous farmer of his time, and she was one of the eight children of her parents, the others being Susan, Alvin, Rozeltha, Florence, Thomas, Emma and Bonnie B. The Hixon children were educated in the district schools, some of them being finished in the Valparaiso high school.
Mr. Osborne and his young wife began their wedded life on the old homestead, and to their combined energy and industry may be ascribed the praiseworthy accomplishments of their lives with regard to their worldly accumulations. They became the parents of four children: Minnie E., Bonnie B., Edgar G., and Florence G. Minnie E., the first born, died in infancy. The district schools and the high schools afforded their children good educational advantages, and the son, Edgar G., finished his education under even more favorable auspices. Florence fitted herself for the teaching of music, and after some experience in that branch married Fred M. Lindner, secretary of the Valparaiso Grain & Elevator Company. Mrs. Lindner has not given up her teaching, to which she has ever been devoted, and has a large class to which she gives piano instruction. Bonnie B. Osborne married Frank B. Parks, a well known lawyer of Valparaiso, and there have been three children born to them. Bessie M. died at the age of sixteen years, and the other two are Ralph O. and Bonnie Ruth.
Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have been members of the Presbyterian church of Valparaiso for many years, and have shared in the good works of that institution. Mr. Osborne is a member of the Masonic fraternity, affiliating with the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, Council of Royal and Select Masters and the Commandery of the Knights Templar. He is a Republican, and has always supported the policies of that party. It was in 1878 that Mr. Osborne felt himself financially able to withdraw from active farm life, and since that time he has lived a life of practical retirement, making his home in Valparaiso. His resignation of active business, however, has not restrained him from taking an interest in civic affairs, and he has with the passing years demonstrated his citizenship to be of an exceptionally high order. His life has been singularly free from the breath of adverse criticism and none is more deserving than he of the splendid place he holds in the public esteem.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 868-870
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook