A History!

Here’s some info about Dru’s great-grand parents (Claire’s great-great)! There’s been a history of florists in this family!

Edgar N. Osborn, deceased, was well and favorably known in Danville, where he successfully conducted a floral business for many years. He was born at Mahomet, Illinois, September 26, 1870, the son of Jonathan and Fillota (Ross) Osborn. Jonathan Osborn was a direct descendant of Daniel Boone. He was a native of Kentucky and died in 1916. His wife, born in Ohio, died in 1910. Both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery,  Danville. Their children numbered ten, of whom Edgar N., the subject of this sketch, was the third in order of birth. Edgar N. Osborn spent his boyhood on a farm in Champaign County, Illinois, and obtained his education in the district schools. He was eleven years old when his parents moved to a farm near Danville. He was employed as a boy in the greenhouse of Frank Smith, of Danville, and after several years engaged in business for himself at 2200 North Vermilion Street. In 1906 he purchased the property at 101 East English Street, where he continued in business until the time of his death, which occurred May 2, 1928. His widow, Retta Osborn, has continued to manage the business and has met with deserved success in her undertaking. Early in life she was a school teacher. She spent several years in the county recorder’s office and was also employed as a clerk by Mr. Wolford in the building and loan business. In 1891 when the Palmer National Bank was organized Mrs. Osborn also served in the bank as clerk, making a total of fourteen years in the employ of C. J. Palmer and Mr. Wolford. In the year of 1905 she was employed by Harvey Adams, as a clerk in the Vermilion County Building Association. She maintained an office in the Baum Building, where she was employed by the various fire insurance companies of Danville, being stamping secretary. Mrs. Osborn’s wide business experience has served to aid her greatly in the management of the business with which she is now connected. To Edgar N. and Retta (Sheffer) Osborn, whose marriage took place in 1894, the following children were born : Dorothy Myra, married Wallace Eslinger, lives at Danville, and they have a son, Wallace Osborn Eslinger, born in 1927; Sarah L., married Harry L. Beane, lives at Danville, and they have a daughter, Dorothy Jane, born in 1924; and Laura Marian, lives at home. Retta (Sheffer) Osborn was born in Danville, the daughter of William B. and Myra (Walker) Sheffer. The former was born at Williamsport, Indiana. He was a Civil War veteran and died October 22, 1912. His widow, born at West Lebanon, Indiana, now lives atDanville. She is eighty years of age. Politically, Mr. Osborn was a Republican. He served as a member of the election board in the Seventh Ward, Fifth Precinct, Danville, for a number of years. He was a member of the Immanuel Presbyterian Church, and Modern Woodmen. Mrs. Retta Osborn is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Civil War Veterans. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church

source: https://archive.org/stream/historyofvermili02will/historyofvermili02will_djvu.txt

 

flower-review

source: https://books.google.com/books?id=bV8-AQAAMAAJ&lpg=RA6-PA106&ots=Dy1HWAbujw&dq=edgar%20osborn%20danville&pg=RA6-PA106#v=onepage&q=edgar%20osborn%20danville&f=false