Mr. Osborne's mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety years. His father died in 1876 at the age of sixty-one years, They were of well known families in North Carolina, and came to this state in 1854, locating in Independence county. His father owned a large plantation on White river, and was a successful and ideal farmer. He was a gentleman of the old school and of fine stalwart character and highly respected in his county; his mother, a woman of more than two generations back, was noted for her knowledge of the Bible, beautiful Christian life and charity to others; and both were known for their example and parental training of their five sons and two daughters. Thomas S. Osborne was married in 1892 to Miss Jessie Collier and their children are Virginia E. and Howel C. The former, who was born in 1896, is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and also attended the University of Chicago. She engaged in the profession of teaching prior to her marriage to John S. Toney of Pine Bluff. For a time she was teacher of English in a high school at Fort Smith and also taught at Palm Beach, Florida. During the World war Howell C. Osborne was a student in the army training corps at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Five years ago he entered the grain business and has since conducted his interests as a grain broker and as a dealer in flour and feed at Fort Smith, where he has gained an enviable position in business circles. He married Miss Nell Wright of Fort Smith on the 1st of October, 1921. Mr. Osborne has long been prominent in politics as a supporter of the democratic party and has ever been most loyal to any cause which he has espoused. He is everywhere recognized as a man of integrity and honesty of purpose, despising all unworthy or questionable methods in securing success in any direction, political or otherwise. He has wrought along the lines of largest good for the community and the commonwealth and is today one of the honored pioneer practitioners of the Fort Smith bar. |