My Genealogy Hound

JOHN L. OZBURN, the efficient bookkeeper of the Jackson County Milling and Elevator Company, is also connected with other business interests of Murphysboro. He is a Director in the Bloomington Building and Loan Association, is President of the Board of Appraisers, and is a stockholder in the Southern Illinois Building and Loan and the Jackson County Homestead and Loan Associations. Business ability and an upright life have placed him in the foremost rank of the leading citizens of this community.

Born near Brownsville, Ill., February 20, 1852, our subject is a son of Col. Lindorf Ozburn, a native of North Carolina, who came to Jackson County in an early day. For a time he operated a horse-mill at Brownsville, and in 1854 came to Murphysboro, where he built the Lower Mill. In 1862 he aided in raising the Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, and was mustered in as Quartermaster of the regiment. At Jackson, Tenn., he was made Colonel of General Logan’s old regiment, and continued to lead his command until forced to resign, in 1864, on account of physical disability, caused by a fall from a horse. He wedded Diza Glen, a native of this state and an own cousin of General Logan. Mrs. Ozburn still makes her home in Murphysboro. Of the family of seven children, five are yet living, namely: John L.; Lillie, wife of Judge Roberts, of Carbondale; Lou, of Murphysboro; Al, conductor on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad; and A. M., Rate Clerk on the Missouri Pacific Railroad at St. Louis.

In the common schools John Ozburn acquired his education, and from early boyhood worked in his father’s mill. He afterwards became weigh-master of the mines and was with the Gartside Coal Company for four years. He was then weigh-master and bookkeeper at the Lewis mines for three years, after which he returned to the old company and served as head bookkeeper for ten years. In 1893 he became bookkeeper for the Jackson County Milling and Elevator Company, which position he now fills.

In Mt. Vernon, Ill., in 1874, Mr. Ozburn was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Morris, a native of Middleton. They have three children: Harry, Assistant Postmaster of Murphysboro, Thomas and George. Mrs. Ozburn belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church North. Since 1881 Mr. Ozburn has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is a charter member of the Sons of Veterans, of which he has served as Captain.

From 1875 until 1879 Mr. Ozburn served as County Surveyor, being elected on the Democratic ticket. His political views, however, were under-going a change, and in 1880 he joined the ranks of the Republican party. In 1885 he was elected City Treasurer for a term of two years. On the 17th of June, 1889, he was appointed Postmaster by President Harrison, and filled the office until October 16, 1893. His official duties have ever been discharged with a promptness and fidelity that have won him high commendation. He is true to every public and private trust, and the community recognizes in him a valued citizen. He is now a prominent Republican candidate for the office of County Clerk.