William Houston Osborn
 
Father:   Obadiah Osborn
Mother:  Mary Dolson

Vital Statistics
 
Born:
Died:
possibly February 19, 1809 - possibly OH
September 1896 - Berthoud, Larimer Co., CO
 
Life Events
Marriage: 
  1. Mary Stewart - March 08, 1831, Tazewell Co., IL
Children:
bulletStephen Stewart Osborn
bulletMary Osborn
bulletWilliam P. Osborn
bulletElizabeth Osborn
bulletSamuel Osborn
bullet Daniel O. Osborn
bulletJoseph G Osborn
bulletJames H. Osborn
 
William and his family moved to Pike County, IL about 1837, later relocating to Monroe County, IA about 1847.  In 1860, Wiliam's family traveled across the plains in an ox train (and prairie schooner) to Colorado.  The journey took six weeks.  Along the way, William ministered to the small band.  The 1860 census notes his occupation as "miner"; in 1870 he is listed as a farmer, and in 1880 as "clergyman".  The "Heritage of Berthoud and the Little Thompson Valley" indicates he was a minister.

The United Brethren Church archives note that William was the "First U.B. minister in Colorado".  The obituary ("Christian Conservator") notes:

Rev. William Osborn, of Colorado U.B. conference, died September 15th 1886, being very aged. He was one of the very first U.B. ministers that came to Colorado territory from Iowa. It is said by those who knew him best that in former years in Iowa he was a very strong, logical and earnest preacher of the Gospel, hating sin and loving righteousness. He was an old-time United Brethren in Christ. He preached against slavery and secrecy to the last. We may truly say a good man has gone to rest. - St. Clair Ross."

He is mentioned in "Memories of the Past and Thoughts of the Future" by E.J. Lamb.

William is buried in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Berthoud, CO.  The exact gravesite is unknown at this time.

 
 
Sources
 
Obituaries:  Christian Conservator (United Brethren Church); The United Brethren Yearbook (1886-1887)
Census:
bullet1840 - Pike County, IL
bullet1850 - Monroe County, IA
bullet1860 - Gold Hill Settlement, Colorado, Nebraska Territory
bullet1870 - Valmont - Boulder County, CO
bullet1880 - Little Thomspon, Larimer County, CO - ED 72
"Heritage of Berthoud and the Little Thompson Valley"
 

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