THE HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1883 - By Leggett, Conaway & Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
O
(1907 - MARION COUNTY, HISTORY - LETTER - O)
LARA O'HARA (Montgomery Township) is a native of the Emerald Isle, born July 11, 1811, and emigrated to America in 1833. stopping in New York three years, in Connecticut one year, then to Northhampton, Mass., one year, then to Galion, Ohio, where he engaged in a tannery. His advent in La Rue occurred in 1853. August 25, 1855, he married Catherine Golather, daughter of John and Nora A. Golather, residents of Ireland, and the parents of three children-Patrick, Catherine and Ann. Lara, and Catherine O'Hara are the parents of six children, four of whom are living-Andrew, Catherine Lara, Jr., and Anora. The names of the deceased are John and Michael. Mr. O'Hara has been engaged with the C., C., C. & I. Railroad, since its construction in 1853, the most of the time having in charge the water tank at La Rue. His son Andrew has been engaged with the same road, acting for eleven years as operator, and three as train dispatcher. At the age of twenty-five years, he was promoted to the responsible position as master of transportation at Union City, Ind. Mr. O'Hara and family are Catholics; he is a Democrat.
JOSEPH ORR (Bowling Green Township) was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 12, 1848; his parents, James D. and Elizabeth Orr, were natives of Ohio and of English and German origin, James D. died in Licking County, Ohio, in 1851; his widow resides in Bowling Green Township. Joseph Orr obtained his early education in the common schools of Licking and Union Counties, and came with his mother to Bowling Green Township, Marion County, in 1860, and finished his education at the schools of La Rue. On attaining his majority, he taught school one term and was married October 2, 18 17, to Clara E., a daughter of John and Christena C. Littell; her parents are natives of Ohio, and of English and German descent Joseph and Clara Orr have two children-James W. and Noah L. Mr. Orr is the owner of 102 acres of well-improved land, and is an enterprising and substantial farmer, and much respected in his community. Politically, he is a Democrat.
LEWIS OSBORN (Claridon Township) was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, September 8, 1844, the son of John and Minda (Caskey) Osborn, who came to Marion County about 1866. The wife died in 1878, but the father is a resident of Tully Township. Mr. Osborn married, June 12, 1873, Harriet D. Hipsher. He is the owner of forty acres of well improved land, valued at $7.5 per acre; is an industrious citizen and a Democrat.
NATHANIEL OSBUN, (Grand Township) a native of Richland County, Ohio, was born June 4, 1829. His parents, Isaac and Margaret (Holmes) Osbun, were married in Richland County, and in 1833 removed and settled in Pleasant Township, Hardin County, where they both died. Mr. Osbun died in April 1845, and his widow, August 1876. They had ten children of whom our subject is the second. At the age of fourteen he took up the miller's trade, in a water-mill, near Kenton, and worked at it till of age, when he engaged working by the month. which he followed till 1856. That year he came to Scott Town and bought a saw-mill, which he operated three years. In 1859, he purchased thirty acres of land, to which he added eighty acres in 1877. His occupation has been farming and stock raising. July 4, 1850, he was married. to Miss Joanna Hartman, daughter of Joseph and Jane Hartman. Mrs. Osbun died June 22, 1882, leaving eight children, viz.: Martha, Isaac E. (1907), Elenore, Sarah L., Nathaniel J., Elizabeth A., Albert and Harry J.; William, Margaret J., Mary B. and John M. are deceased. Mr. Osbun and family are members of the M. F. Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
MRS. JANE (CAREY) OWENS, (Montgomery Township) widow of Hiram A. Owens, was born in Sussex County, Del., August 12, 1830, a daughter of William and Agnes (Pettit) Carey, of Irish and Scotch extraction, and natives of the same county. They came to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1834, remaining there a short time, thence to Montgomery Township the same year, settling on the banks of the Scioto River, the Indians encamping across the river; thence near Carey's Station, living there about five years. They had six children, five, living-Jane, George R., Winget L., Nancy A., Mary P.; William died in infancy. The father died about 1876. Our subject was married, May 18, 1862, to Hiram A. Owens, and one daughter, Augusta, was born to them. He was a son of Isaac and Margaret (Turpens) Owens, of Irish and Scotch ancestry and natives of Sussex County, Del. They moved to Ohio in 1824, stopping in Pike County eleven years, thence to Putnam County two years coming then to Montgomery Township. As a citizen, he won the esteem of the community. He died December 21, 1866, aged seventy-nine years; Margaret Owens, his wife, died March 13, 1881, aged ninety-four years. Mr. Hiram Owens acquired his education in the common school, and married first Miss Satira Sprague, daughter of William and Sarah (Davis) Sprague. There have been born to them three children, two living-Minerva D., born September 8, 1850; William, May 25, 1856. The deceased was Irwin C., died September 28, 1849, aged two years. Mrs. Owens was born August 14, 1864, and died November 7, 1860, aged thirty one years. Mr. O. was an influential farmer, owning at his death 240 acres. His decease occurred in 1865. By industry Mrs. 0. has added 115 acres, owning with her stepson 354 acres, valued at $70 per acre. They make retiring of stock a specialty.
WILLIAM T. OWEN (Marion Township) is the fourth son of Charles and Esther (Brashares) Owen, a native of Claridon Township, born November 23, 1842. His parents were of Welsh and Scotch ancestry; he obtained a good education, attending a number of terms the Ohio Wesleyan University, and when aged sixteen he commenced teaching, continuing off and on fifteen years. October 29, 1872, he married Sarah A. Gruber, daughter of Abraham and Francis (Bell) Gruber, and five children have been born to them-Francis H. (1907), Eva M., Clara B., William T. and Elizabeth G. Mr. Owen is the owner of 106 acres of excellent land. He is industrious and a highly respected citizen. He served as a member of the Board of School Examiners of Marion County seven years, declining to servo longer. He is a stanch Prohibitionist, and is nominated now (October 1883) for Representative to the Legislature. He is an honored member of the F. & A. M., and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.