Barber County Index, Obituary of Jennie Osborn

"Medicine Lodge Pioneer Dies Here Thursday : Mrs. Jennie Osborn, One of Town's Oldest Residents, Came Here in 1878. Medicine Lodge lost one of its pioneer settlers and oldest residents last Thursday when Mrs. Jennie Osborn died at her home here at the age of 91 years. Only one other Medicine Lodge resident was older than Mrs. Osborn at the time of her death. She is Mrs. Margaret Compton, who is 93 years old. Mrs. Osborn was active up until a few weeks before her death. One of the interesting features of her life was when at the age of 85, she learned to operate a typewriter and became so proficient that she wrote the story of her life, which was published under the title of "Memories." Mrs. Osborn, daughter of Susan Myer and Barnard Stoughton, was born in Kallensburg (sic. Callensburg, Clarion Co.), Pa., December 23, 1848, and died June 26, 1940, in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, aged 91 years, 6 months and 3 days.
She came with her parents to Lawrence county, Missouri, while a young girl, making the trip by boat from Pittsburg down the Ohio River to the Mississippi, and there by train to St. Louis. She taught in Lawrence county schools for several years and then near Lowell in Cherokee county, Kansas. In 1871 she went overland to Texas, where she taught school two years and then engaged in the millinery business.
In 1878 she came to Barber county by train from Springfield, Mo., to Oswego, Kansas, and then by wagon to Medicine Lodge, arriving during the early Indian scares. She taught school for one year and then married William George Osborn in February 1879. To them were born two sons: Dr. L. L. Osborn of Medicine Lodge, and George E. Osborn of Salt Lake City, and three daughters, Mrs. Glenn A. DeLay of Neodesha; Mrs. George Turnbull, of Medicine Lodge, and Nellis Osborn, who died in infancy. There are seven grandchildren: David Osborn, Barbara Osborn, Richard Turnbull, Nelson Turnbull, Dorothy DeLay, Nellis DeLay, Louise DeLay. Mr. Osborn died August 14, 1919. Mrs. Osborn kept a cheerful outlook on life during her declining years. She loved to visit the sick and shut-ins, carrying the flowers she enjoyed growing. She was interested in public affairs, both national and of the world at large and was a constant reader. In her early married life, she united with the local Methodist church. She was actively identified with the movement, which resulted in the Woman Suffrage Amendment. She was also a tireless worker in the W. C. T. U. in the days before national prohibition.Friend were important in her life and included all whom she knew."

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