I am also interested in this topic. My gr-great-grandfather Marion Melvin supposedly brought his bride Elizabeth Hedley to Osborn County and homesteaded sometime around 1876. Their daughter Dollie Arnada Melvin was born in Mar of 1878 there and Elizabeth died soon after. Marion left with daughter who was raised by her grandparents.
I wrote to the courthouse asking for a record of his homestead, but they said they did not have one. But it probably was not considered a homestead since he would not have been there long enough. Sure would like to find the site and possibly Elizabeth Hedley Melvin's grave site!