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Below is a family biography included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HON. THOMAS A. OSBORN.
Prominent in the long line of statesmen who have contributed to the glory of Kansas, was the late Thomas A. Osborn, the sixth Governor of the “Sunflower” State. Thomas A. Osborn was born on October 26, 1836, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where his life closed on February 4, 1898.

The early life of Mr. Osborn, up to the age of 15 years, was spent in laying the foundations of an education in the common schools, the limited resources of his parents affording him no better opportunities. At this age he became a wage earner, learned the printing business and thus secured the means himself to pay his way through Allegheny College. Then followed the study of the law. He was 21 years of age when he went to Michigan and was admitted to the bar. In 1857 he came to Kansas, as a printer, securing employment in the office of the Herald of Freedom, at Lawrence, and subsequently filling every position in the business. In 1858 he went to Elwood, a small town in Doniphan County and formed a law partnership with the later distinguished James H. Lane, who was subsequently elected to the United States Senate, when the partnership was dissolved.

At this time the young lawyer was beginning to be recognized as an able member of his profession, was invited to take part in the political struggle then going on, and in 1859, but two years after he had come to Kansas, was elected on the Republican ticket as a member of the first State Legislature. This was followed in 1862 by his election as Lieutenant-Governor and it was during this incumbency that he presided at the impeachment trial of Governor Charles Robinson, all of which is absorbing State history.

In 1864, when but 28 years of age, he was chosen by President Lincoln as United States marshal for Kansas, a responsible and difficult position, which he held until removed by President Johnson, in 1867. That he continued in the confidence and esteem of the majority of the citizens of Kansas was shown by his election as Governor, in 1872, and emphasized by his reelection. What years of growth, development and increase of wealth, prosperity and peace, were these years of the administration of Governor Osborn! He was a man of such strength of character, such uncorruptible integrity, such progressive ideas and political foresight that under his guidance industries were encouraged, the tide of immigration flowed in, education and religion flourished and Kansas took her proper place in the sisterhood of States. Yet he had much with which to contend, including the Indian depredations on the frontier, and the grasshopper pest which destroyed crops over a great section. It was almost entirely through the wisdom of Governor Osborn that the dire effects of these calamities were lessened, his prompt call for a special session of the Legislature resulting in the immediate appointment of a State relief committee, which raised and disbursed large sums to the sufferers. He closed his career as chief executive of the Commonwealth with the honors his faithful service merited and was urged by his party for a seat in the United States Senate.

In 1877 he was selected by President Hayes as United States Minister to Chili, and he was commended by the government upon his diplomatic attitude during the troubles at the time of the Chili-Bolivia War. In 1881 he was honored anew by being appointed by President Garfield to the Brazilian mission and during this period he cast credit upon his country by his tact and wisdom in assisting in securing peace between Chili, Peru and Bolivia, also receiving the public acknowledgments of the government of Chili in this connection. This important post our subject resigned in 1885 and again took up his residence at Topeka. Later he represented his district several times in the State Senate, but mainly devoted his time to looking after his large property interests, being connected with a number of successful enterprises in other parts of the State.

In 1870, while a resident of Leavenworth, Governor Osborn was married to Julia Delahay, who was a daughter of Hon. M. W. Delahay, one of the early judges of the Federal Court. Their only child and son, Edward D. Osborn, was born in 1871 and, after a thorough preparation for the legal profession, was admitted to the bar in 1895. He is one of the prominent members of the Kansas bar, in practice at Topeka, being a member of the well-known law firm of Harvey & Osborn. For a number of years the delicate state of Mrs. Osborn’s health demanded a change of climate, and to prolong a tender and beautiful companionship travels were made in many lands. The frail life ended in 1892.

The death of Governor Osborn came, perhaps, just as he would have chosen, among the associations of his youth, where silently he had builded future hopes which it is possible scarcely reached to the heights of the reality. His personal friends were numbered by the score, his genial nature and absolute sincerity endearing many to him through his whole career. He rests in an honored tomb in the capital city of Kansas.

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This family biography is one of 206 biographies included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  For the complete description, click here: Shawnee County, Kansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Shawnee County, Kansas family biographies here: Shawnee County, Kansas

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