Barber County Kansas

Dr. Leon Lewis Osborn, D.D.S.

Dr. Leon Lewis Osborn, DDS.

Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.
Dr. Leon Lewis Osborn, DDS
Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.


The Barber County Index, December 17, 1964.

Death Claims Dr. L. L. Osborn

Dr. L. L. Osborn, long time resident of this community, died Monday at Memorial hospital following a prolonged illness. He was 85 years of age.

Funeral service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the First Methodist church with Rev. Harold Lambert officiating. Burial will be made in Highland cemetery.

Dr. Osborn, a dentist for 60 years, returned in December 1962. He started his practice in the office of Dr. H. Yant in Medicine Lodge as an apprentice in the spring of 1901. After a year he started out on his own. Until 1904 he served out of the way towns where there was no dentist.

In the fall of 1904 he entered Kansas City Dental College and the first two years carried the Kansas City Star and Times. He was graduated in 1907 and entered practice at Greensburg. Later he moved to Coats and several towns on the Englewood branch of the Santa Fe, traveling to Coats, Sawyer, Isabel and Norwich.

In February 1909 he took over the practice of Dr. R. E. McCallister in offices over the First National Bank where he remained until 1955 when he moved to a new building on North Main.

Dr. Osborn, who was born in December 1879 on the family farm west of here was a Mason, a member of Wichita Consistory, Delta Lodge 77, Cypress chapter Royal Arch Masons and Lorraine chapter 38 Eastern Star. He was a member of the Pioneer Lodge 179 I. O. O. F., the Methodist church, served on the board of education 12 years, was a charter member of the Lions club and a director of Barber County Building & Loan association.

He attended rural school and was graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1899 then taught in the rural school of district 13 between Coats and Sawyer one year.

Shortly after his retirement, his fellow Lions club members honored him at a dinner when Riley MacGregor gave the tribute.

He is survived by his widow, Ruth; sons, David of Newton and Willard J. Harnden of Denver; two daughters, Barbara Broom, Seattle, Washington and Beverly McQuin of LaCrosse; a brother, George E. Osborn of Salt Lake City, Utah; two sisters, Mrs. Cecil DeLay of Big Bow and Mrs. George Turnbull of Medicine Lodge, and six grandchildren.


The Barber County Index, February 3, 1909.

Osborn - Johnson

Dr. Leon L. Osborn of this city and Miss Nellie Johnson of Greensburg, Kansas, were united in marriage at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. L. Osborn in Greensburg, Wednesday evening, January 27, 1909.

Mr. and Mrs. Osborn arrived in this city on Friday and on Saturday afternoon and evening the groom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Osborn, received complimentary to the bride and groom, at their palatial home five miles west of this city.

The groom is a dentist by profession, graduating several years ago from a reputable college and practicing since that time in Greensburg and occasionally in surrounding towns. A month ago he purchased Dr. McAlister's office in this city and is now located in the practice here. He is a young man of unusual attainments, both professionally and socially. He was brought up here and is well known by everybody and has scores of friends.

The bride at one time resided here. She is a niece of Mrs. G. L., Osborn, formerly of this city, and is known by many of our people. She is a pleasant cordial lady of fine address and excellent accomplishment.

Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are occupying J. E. Woodward's residence on South Walnut street for the present, where they are now at home to their friends.

Our most sincere wishes for their future happiness and prosperity are extended.


Dr. Leon Lewis Osborn, about 1900.

Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.
Dr. Leon Lewis Osborn, about 1900.
Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.

Leon Lewis Osborn, 6 months old, 1880.

Tintype photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.
Leon Lewis Osborn, 6 months old, 1880.
Tintype photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.

Dr. L.L. & Nellie Osborn's first house on Walnut Street in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 1909.

Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.
Dr. L.L. & Nellie Osborn's first house on Walnut Street in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 1909.
Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.

Dr. L.L. & Nellie Osborn's house, 515 N. Main, Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.
Dr. L.L. & Nellie Osborn's house, 515 N. Main, Medicine Lodge, Kansas.
Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn.


L.L. Osborn & Arthur Parker in rear automobile, Chicago, Illinois, 1901 or 1902.
Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn, who noted: "First time he'd ever seen one of the things"..


L.L. Osborn & Arthur Parker in rear automobile, Chicago, Illinois, 1901 or 1902. (Detail)
Photo courtesy of Bob Osborn..


Also see:

Jennie (Stoughton) OSBORN, mother of Dr. L.L. Osborn.

Obituary: William George OSBORN, father of Dr. L.L. Osborn.

Lee Wynkoop: "Recalls Narrow Escape From Indians"
(Undated newspaper clippings.)


Thanks to Bob Osborn for contributing the above photos, to Kim Fowles for arranging the contribution and to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above obituary and wedding announcement to this web site!




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