John Osborne (1842 - 1908)

Born 1842 in Wollongong, Australia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 1 Sep 1908 at about age 66 in Double Bay, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

John was born in 1842. He is the son of Robert Osborne and Rebecca Musgrave. He passed away in 1908.

"john, the youngest member of Robert and Rebecca's family (1843-1908) began work as a bookkeeper for his brother-in-law John Bright and later for Farmers in Sydney, meanwhile studying for the Methodist ministry. About the time he was ordained he married Elizabeth Wastell and they went off to Fiji as missionaries, hence William's sojourn in Fiji. Returning to Australia, John became minister of the York Street Methodist church, where he proved too ecumenical for his parishioners: he had become too friendly with the Catholic bishop. He managed to survive the first round, but when the Bishop died on a trip to England John attended a memorial Mass in St Mary's and as a result was faced with transfer to the country. Being a man of independent mind, he chose to part company with the Methodist church and became editor of the Australian Star. Retiring from the Star, he became secretary of the Public Service Association as well as editor of the Public Service journal. Interested in politics in which he favoured protection rather than free trade, he stood for parliament against Henry Parkes and was narrowly defeated. But for 48 votes he may have changed the course of Australian history! The Rev John was a very interesting, strong-willed character about whom a whole book could be written. In fact one of his grand- daughter did commence the task. "

Sources

• Australian, New South Wales, Births Deaths Marriages, Birth Registration 240/1842 V1842240 54, Father = Robert, Mother = Rebecca

• 1909 'Obituary.', Casino and Kyogle Courier and North Coast Advertiser (NSW : 1904 - 1932), 5 June, p. 2. , viewed 01 Nov 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article233916998

"Osbornes in Early Illawarra" by Frank Osborne (http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2037&context=ihsbulletin)