Alameda
County
Biographies
LUTHER
EDWARD OSGOOD
LUTHER EDWARD OSGOOD. With the death of L. E. Osgood, which
occurred May 16, 1901, there passed from the community a citizen whose
agricultural interests had advanced no little the prestige of Alameda county in
that line, and one who made his personal success lie parallel with his efforts
to increase the general welfare. At the
time of his demise he owned three hundred acres in the vicinity of Irvington,
and this is still in the possession of his widow, who now leases the land. Born in Blue Hill, Me., June 17, 1831,
he was reared to manhood in the New England states and early trained to the
practical duties of a farmer. Deciding,
in 1852, to cast in his lot among the pioneer conditions of California, he came
west by way of the Isthmus of Panama and located near Mowry’s Landing, Alameda
county, where he purchased one hundred acres of land in 1857. Upon this property he made his home for
twenty-two years, when in 1880 he moved to Irvington and became the owner of
property in that city, where his last years were spent. He continued to look after his ranching
interests and took a deep interest in making improvements and in every way
adding to the value of his property.
Fraternally he affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and politically was a stanch[sic]
supporter of the principles of the Republican party, which he served in various
capacities, acting as deputy assessor for some time.
In 1857 he returned to the east and was
united in marriage with Sarah P. Hinckley, who was born March 2,
1835, also a native of Blue Hill, Me.
She was a daughter of Floyd Hinckley, who was born in Maine and followed
the occupation of farmer until his death in Blue Hill in 1867 at the age of
seventy-five years. His wife was
formerly Polly Ingalls, who was born in Blue Hill and died there in 1886,
attaining the age of eighty-seven years.
Upon Mr. Osgood’s return to California in 1858 he was accompanied
by his wife, his brother Rufus, who died in Marin county, 1882, and a sister,
Frances I., now the widow of J. Angelotti of San Rafael. She is the only survivor of the family of
which Mr. Osgood was a member, on the Pacific coast. To Mr. and Mrs. Osgood were born two
daughters, of whom Annie is deceased, and Blanche is the wife of Thomas D.
Witherly of Alameda county.
Mrs. Osgood is a cultured and intelligent woman, having attended in
her youth the schools and academy of her native town. She conducts her affairs with excellent
judgment, and is universally esteemed for her many qualities of heart and mind.
Transcribed
by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 877-878. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Donna
Toole.
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