The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Franklin Township, pages 601-602
Dr. John A. Osborne, druggist, Stilesville, Ind., is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Hendricks County, a son of Hardin and Priscilla (Tincher) Osborne. Hardin Osborne was born in Rockcastle County, Ky., in 1804. His father, Nicholas Osborne, was a native of Virginia, and when a young man moved to Kentucky, where he married Susanna Roberts, and in 1824, moved with his family to Hendricks County, Ind., and located in Clay Township, entering the land now owned by Isaac Ratliff. Seven or eight years later he moved to Liberty Township where he died at the age of eighty-seven years. Hardin was the eldest of a large family. He was married near the present village of Amo, in August 1829. Four or five years later he settled in Clay Township, where he died March 8, 1863. His widow is still living and makes her home with her children. They had a family of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, nine of whom are living. Five sons served in the war of the Rebellion. Thomas J. was a member of the Ninety-ninth Indiana Infantry, and died at La Grange, Tenn., in January, 1863. Nicholas served three years, a member of the Seventieth Indiana Infantry. He was wounded in the left arm, and has never recovered its effects. Silas enlisted in October, 1861, in the Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and was killed in 1863, while with Colonel A. D. Streight on his raid through Georgia. William B. was a member of the same company and was captured while on the raid and imprisoned several months. He re-enlisted and served about five years. James H. served three years in the Seventieth Indiana Infantry. The other surviving children are---Mrs. Nancy Jane Bercham, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Melinda, wife of William M. Reitzel; John A., George W., Henry C., and Mrs. Sudie Harrison, of Vigo County, Tenn. Dr. John A.Osborne was born in Liberty Township, Hendricks County, Ind., May 6, 1841. When twenty-two years of age he began the study of medicine at Belleville, with Drs. Moore & Kennedy, and in 1864 attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Indianapolis, in 1871. He practiced two years in Clinton County, Ind., and then returned to Hendricks County, where he has since lived. In 1878 he was elected Recorder of Hendricks County and served four years. His health became impaired and he was unable to practice, and after the expiration of his term of office engaged in farming till Feb. 18, 1885, when he located in Stilesville, and became established in the drug business. He was married to Harriet W. Kay, a native of Ohio. They have three children--Maud, Inez and Harry.