GEORGE W. OSBURN, retired merchant, of Burgettstown, is descended of Irish ancestry, his father and grandfather having been natives of the Emerald Isle. James Osburn (grandfather of subject) was married to a Miss McCutcheon, of this locality, and they soon afterward emigrated to America, landing at New York. Proceeding to Westmoreland county, Penn., they there made a permanent settlement, and reared a family of children, as follows: James, Jane, Robert, George, Margaret, Catherine, Martha and John. Mr. Osburn was a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith a member of the M. E. Church. James Osburn, father of George W., was reared and educated in Westmoreland county, Penn., and was first married to a Miss Johnston, who bore him two children, Thomas and Jane. For his second wife, he was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of Adam McKennet, a native of Ireland, and a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. McKennet settled on a farm in Robinson township, this county, in the early part of the present century, and there passed the remainder of his days. After his second marriage James Osburn settled on the McKennet farm, where he died in 1843. Politically Mr. Osburn was a Democrat, and in religion an adherent of the M. E. Church. Martha, wife of James Osburn, survived him until the year 1885, when she died on August 5, leaving three sons, James J., George W. and Robert C. George W. Osburn, whose name opens this sketch, was born June 9, 1836, and passed his youth on the home farm in Robinson township, receiving a common-school education. On October 20, 1859, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of James Hastings, of Allegheny county, Penn. She was a very estimable lady and model wife, whose demise occurred January 5, 1865. As a result of this union three children were born, of whom two died in infancy. The surviving child, Martha J., was born January 19, 1861, and was reared on the home farm under Presbyterian influences. She was educated in the common school. She married R. C. Cassidy, November 18, 1884. As a result of this marriage the birth of Ora R. Cassidy occurred on April 17, 1888. Mr. Osburn continued to reside on the home farm until 1888, in which year he came to Burgettstown, where he formed a partnership with R. C. Cassidy in the grocery business, which they conducted until 1891, when Mr. Osburn retired. He is an active Republican, and has held various public offices.

Text taken from page 1256 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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