My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD OSBORN, Bloomington. He is one of the few practicing attorneys here who were born in the county, being born in McLean Co., Dec. 25, 1845; in 1856, he went, with his father, to Missouri; here he worked on a farm and studied the common branches as leisure would permit; but, in 1861, his martial spirit overcoming all other considerations, he enlisted in the 23d Missouri Infantry, being then but 16 years of age; although young, he made a valiant soldier, being in many prominent and desperately-fought battles; in January, 1862, he was captured by guerillas and robbed, but, after being retained one day, he was released; he was fighting in the Sherman army during the Atlanta campaign, and was dangerously wounded in the shoulder and arm in front of Atlanta, Ga., on the 7th of August, 1864, after passing through a series of engagements, and having been under fire for over forty consecutive days. In November, 1864, having recovered from his wound sufficiently to travel, he was discharged, after having served three years and three months. Mr. Osborn then attended district school, acquired a fair, common-school education, taught school in Iowa, and then for one year he applied himself, with unrelenting perseverance, at Oskaloosa College, Iowa. In 1866, he returned to McLean County, and taught school, very successfully, in Randolph Township; he then attended school at the Normal for one year; all this time, he was rapidly acquiring a very thorough knowledge of all branches of English education, and had read extensively; for one year he acted as Principal of the graded school at Whitehall, Greene Co., Ill. In the fall of 1870, Mr. Osborn was elected Sheriff of McLean Co.; he was efficient, and made one of the most fearless officers the county ever had. He commenced reading law in the office of McNulta & Aldrich; he entered the first class of the Wesleyan Law School, and was admitted to practice Jan. 8, 1875; he graduated, and took the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Mr. Osborn then formed a partnership with J. T. Lillard, Aug. 1, 1875, which, under the style of Osborn & Lillard, yet continues.