Nevada Genealogy Trails Washoe County Ralph S. Osburn Biography

RALPH S. OSBURN, who died in Reno, Nevada, July 30, 1901. was at the time of his death and for many years before one of the most prominent men of the city in business and public affairs. He was a citizen for nearly thirty years, in fact spent the best years of his noble and virile manhood within the confines of Reno, having taken up his residence there when it was a small place and only a few years after it was founded. He was a man of unusual business capacity and ability, was noted for his efficiency and reliability in several public offices of which he was incumbent, and in all the other many relations by which he was connected with society, family or the body politic gained the esteem and wholesome regard of his fellow men.

Mr. Osburn was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1849, a son of William and Rebecca (Deeter) Osburn, who are both deceased. His father was a druggist and also interested in the stock business. The family moved to Eugene, Oregon, when Ralph was a young man. and his father engaged in the drug business in that city, where he remained till his death, in January. 1890; his wife died in Eugene in April, 1895.

Ralph Osburn lived in Eugene until 1873, and in that year came to Reno, Nevada, and established a drug business under ihe firm name of Simpson and Osburn. Later he became associated with H. S. Shoemaker in the same line, and the partnership lasted for many years On the organization of the Nevada Bank Mr. Osburn accepted the position of cashier, which he held until the day of his death. He was also a stockholder and director in the bank, and was interested in mining in Washoe county.

November 2, 1880, Mr. Oslmrn was elected county clerk on the Democratic ticket, in which office he gave efficient service for two terms and then declined further nomination. His next office was that of chief clerk of the United States mint at Carson City, during Cleveland's administration, and at the earnest solicitation of Major Garrard he held the place one year, after which he resigned in order to give proper attention to his business. In 1887 he was elected a member of the state senate from Washoe county, and devoted himself to state legislation for two years. At the incorporation of Reno he became its first mayor, and in many subsequent matters his influence for good and progress was felt in his adopted city. He was a member of the Episcopal church and was a vestryman at the time of his death. His fraternal affiliations were with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

March 20, 1872, Mr. Osburn married Miss Annie E. Lemmon, a daughter of Fielding and Matilda (Foley) Lemmon, who were natives respectively of Tennessee and Missouri, and were residents of Nevada, both being now deceased. Two children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Osburn, namely: Ralph Lemmon Osburn and Louis William Osburn, but both are deceased.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904