Biography Index

- Surname -O-

 Genealogy Trails of

Jackson County Indiana

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WILLIAM OLIVER, a favorably known citizen of Jackson Township, was the second son of Henry and Mary (Logan) Oliver. His father, a native of Ireland, was a weaver by trade, and immigrated to America, the land of opportunity, about the year 1805. William's mother was also a native of "Erin's green isle." Mr. Oliver, our subject, was born in Long Island, N. Y., January 6, 1815, and during his infancy his parents moved with their family to Cincinnati, Ohio. His school education was that which only the limited advantages of pioneer times afforded, and his early occupation was that of a farmer. He became a pioneer farmer in this county in 1853, and, being a hard-working, industrious man, felled much of the original timber upon his land in preparing the ground for cultivation. He purchased his farm of Leonard Friedman, and that place has ever since been his home. March 31, 1839, Mr. Oliver was married to Eliza Bonnel, and of their ten children five are living, namely: Mary, Milton, Lewis, Justus and Francis. The deceased were James, William, Abby, Jane and Sarah. Three of the above sons were in the Union Army, and one of them died in the service. Mrs. Oliver, the mother, died in May, 1883, a devoted member of the Christian Church, of which denomination Mr. Oliver is also a member. In politics he is a Republican. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 707 - 708

DR. GEORGE Q. ORVIS is a native of Franklin County, N. Y.  He was the fourteenth in a family of fifteen children born to Simeon Victor and Deroxy (Campbell) Orvis, who were natives of Brattleboro, Vt. The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and at the age of seventeen could scarcely read and write. At the age of fifteen he removed with his brother to Iowa and worked upon a farm for two years. At the expiration of this time he entered the college at Oskaloosa, where he graduated in 1871, taking the degree of Master of Arts. He then began reading medicine with Dr. Huffman, of Oskaloosa, remaining until the fall of 1871, when he entered the Louisville Medical College, where he took the degree of M. D. in June, 1876, carrying off the second prize in a class of over one hundred members. In the spring of 1876 he obtained the degree of M. D. of the Kentucky School of Medicine, where he gained the first prize in a class of seventy-five. On March 18, 1876, he came to Seymour with 70 cents in his pocket to commence the practice of his profession. Although entering a field already occupied by old and established physicians, he at once took a position in the front rank of his profession. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Lizzie Koons, a native of Clarke County, Ind. One child was born to them, dying in infancy. He is a member of the order of K. of P., and he and wife are also members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics the Doctor is a conservative Democrat. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 708 – 709

ALFRED OSBURN, a leading citizen of Owen Township, Jackson Co., Ind., is the second in the family of John and Frances (Blount) Osburn. He was born near Plymouth, Washington Co., N. C., October 7, 1827, and is of English descent. At the age of seven years he became a resident of Jackson County, where his home has ever since been. He attended the subscription and common schools of his day and until the age of twenty-two was engaged in farming. At that time he began the wagon-maker’s trade, which he has followed to some extent nearly ever since. Mary J. Fish became his wife April 27, 1848, and none of their three children are now living. Mr. Osburn became a minister of the gospel in the Christian Church, in 1879, at Clear Spring, where the society has a good building and a large membership. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been township trustee, be-sides holding several other minor offices. He enjoys the confidence and high regard of all his neighbors and others who know him.  - History of Jackson County, Indiana by  Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 730