My Genealogy Hound

William Osborn, general merchant at Mack’s Creek, Camden County, Mo., was born in Scott County, W. Va., in 1831, his parents, Stephen and Lavisa (Bledsoe) Osborn, being natives of Virginia, born in 1802 and 1806, and died in 1865 and 1852, respectively. The parents moved from their native State to Kentucky; thence to Camden County, Mo., in 1841, where they engaged in farming. Five of their twelve children are now living: Ambrose, Nelson, Franklin, Malinda and William. After residing with his parents until twenty-one years of age, William Osborn started out in life for himself as a farmer, and was married in 1852 to Miss Elizabeth Nicholson, who was born in Georgia in 1831, and a daughter of Isaac and Zena (Dawson) Nicholson, who were planters of Georgia, and the parents of nine children. Previous to the war Mr. Osborn had shot over 1,000 deer, principally for their hides, and many other animals also fell victims to his skill as a marksman. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Osage Regiment of Missouri Home Guards, and was discharged there from in December, 1861, after which he enlisted, in 1862, in the State Rangers, and was discharged in 1863. Here enlisted August 16, 1863, in Company D, Eighth Missouri Cavalry, and was discharged May 20, 1865, at Springfield, Mo., having participated in the battles of Jefferson City, Boonville, Big Blue, Mine Creek, Independence, Newtonia and others. After the war he followed farming until 1868, at which time he began merchandising at Lead Mine, Dallas Co., Mo., and went from there to Urbana, Mo., where he resided during 1878 and 1879. At the latter date he came to Mack’s Creek, and established himself in his present business, which has proved quite remunerative. He belongs to the Christian Church, the Masonic fraternity and the G. A. R., and in his political views is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Winfield Scott in 1852. The following are his children who are living: Isaac, Franklin, William, Lucy A. (Harold), Malinda (Bryant), Mary J. (Hack) and Matilda (Ricker). The paternal grandfather, James, was a Virginian, and at an early day moved to Kentucky. The maternal grandfather was Ambrose Bledsoe.