Calvin Osborn
Calvin Osborn, one of the old established business men of Lima, a dealer in granite and marble monuments, is also an honored survivor of the Civil War, having given three years of his young manhood to the service of his country. Mr. Osborn was born in Lordstown township, Trumbull County, Ohio, April 5, 1841, and is a son of William and Sarah (Jordan) Osborn.
The father of Mr. Osborn born at Redstone, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents in childhood to Stark County, Ohio, where he was reared and where he married. The mother of our subject was a native of Scotland. Both parents died in Trumbull County. For many years William Osborn was a prominent farmer and dairyman of Trumbull County and was a leading citizen, interested in both political and educational affairs. He was a stanch Abolitionist long before the Civil War settled the question of human slavery. He reared a family of five sons and six daughters, as follows: Henry M., who died in Coffey County, Kansas, where he was a prominent agriculturist; John, who is a retired farmer of North Jackson, Mahoning County, Ohio; Josiah S., who has been a bookkeeper in rolling and wire mills at Cleveland, Ohio, for over 40 years; James L., a retired farmer of North Jackson, Ohio; Julia, deceased in 1873, who was the wife of Josiah Duncan, of Trumbull County; Mary, deceased in 1851, who was the wife of Milo Beard, of Mahoning County; Susan, who died in 1856; Sarah, who died in 1851; Jennie (Dalzell), who resides in Oklahoma; and Alice, deceased in 1890, who was the wife of W. J. Hull, of Allen County.
Calvin Osborn came first to Lima in 1860, a young teacher of 19 years. He continued to teach in this city until 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company C, 84th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He was mustered into the army at Camp Chase, Columbus, and immediately afterward accompanied the command to Cumberland City, Maryland, his mettle being tried first at New Creek, where the enemy was routed. Minor engagements followed as the Union forces pursued the Confederates through the mountains of West Virginia and Maryland, and his regiment was also utilized to convey prisoners from one point to another. During his three years of service, Mr. Osborn's record shows that he was never missing from the post of duty and at all times was a cheerful, brave and efficient soldier. He was mustered out of the service at Camp Delaware.
Mr. Osborn returned then to Lima and taught school for some years, and then went into a milling business for some six years, after which he went on the road as traveling salesman for J. D. Halter, of Lima, in the granite and monument line. Since closing out that contract, he has been engaged in the same line for himself. He has resided in the same home at No. 325 West Wayne Street, since May 5, 1865. On December 21,1864, Mr. Osborn was married to Frances A. Barber, a daughter of the late John and Nancy (Ferguson) Barber, who was born in Pennsylvania and were early settlers in Bath township, Allen County, coming here in 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have two sons Grant C. and Clifton A. The former is manager of the Cleveland-Berea Stone Company, for the Western States, with headquarters at Chicago, and the latter is associated with F. E. Harman, of Lima. Mr. Osborn and his wife are members of the Disciples' Church. Politically he is a Republican and has frequently served as a delegate to conventions. He is a member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R.