California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


OSBORNE, JESSE P.  
The very elements of character that fortified Mr. Osborne in his determined efforts to 
overcome obstacles and through his own energy and resources prepare himself for the legal 
profession have been the dominant forces leading to his definite success and prestige as a 
representative of this exacting vocation. Prior to coming to California he had achieved 
prominence as a member of the bar of the State of Utah, and he has been a resident of Santa 
Barbara, California, since 1904, though he has here been engaged in the practice of his 
profession only since 1908, as he first turned his attention to contracting and building, in order 
to establish his sons in this field of industrial enterprise, besides gaining for himself a 
knowledge of approved structural and architectural work most in favor in this state. In this 
connection should be noted that he erected a number of the handsome residences of Santa 
Barbara and had the distinction of building the forms for the first entire concrete building in the 
city. He continued his activities as a contractor for 3 1/2 years, and since that time he has given 
his close and effective attention to the practice of his profession.  
 
Jesse P. Osborne was born in New York City, on the 28th of February, 1857, and his parents, 
Peter J. and Anna (Asboe) Osborne, were born and reared in Denmark, where their marriage 
was solemnized, the father, however, having been of English ancestry. The parents of Mr. 
Osborne were residents of Denmark at the time of their death.
 
Jesse P. Osborne acquired his early education in the public schools and his initial activities as a 
youth were in connection with farm enterprise in Missouri and Kansas. He was a determined 
and industrious worker and in addition to his association with agricultural pursuits he was for 
some time employed as a carpenter and also identified with mining operations in Colorado and 
Utah. He bent his energies to the achieving of his ambitious purpose, and he realized the 
purpose when, on the 9th of October, 1899, he was admitted to the bar of the State of Utah by 
the Supreme Court of that commonwealth. While otherwise employed he had given close and 
constructive attention to the study of law, and thus he came to the bar with excellent 
fortification. He engaged in the practice of his profession in Piute County, Utah, and there he 
served two years as states attorney. At the expiration of his official term he became the local 
attorney for the Sevier Consolidated Mining & Prospecting Company, and of this position he 
continued the incumbent until his removal to Santa Barbara, in 1904. After concluding 3 l/2 
years of activity as a contractor and builder in Santa Barbara, as previously mentioned, he 
prepared to resume the practice of his profession, and on the 23d of November, 1908, he was 
admitted to the California bar. Mr. Osborne has built up a substantial and lucrative law practice 
of general order, and is consistently to be designated as one of the honored and representative 
members of the bar of Santa Barbara County. His political allegiance is given to the republican 
party and he has represented the same in local conventions, though he has had no desire to 
figure as a "practical politician."
 
In 1885 Mr. Osborne wedded Miss Hattie B. Penland, and her death occurred at their home in 
Utah in 1900. She is survived by four children: Jesse L. and Andrew M., who are successful 
contractors and builders in Santa Barbara County, the first named being a resident of 
Montecito, and Andrew being in business in the City of Santa Barbara; William G., the third son, 
is taking special studies for a professional career; Roy B., the youngest son, is a student in the 
Junior College of Santa Barbara at the time of this writing, in 1916. In May, 1903, was 
solemnized the marriage of Mr. Osborne to Miss Minnie L. Gay, a daughter of Rev. Philip Gay. 
who was at the time pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Ohlman, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. 
Osborne have three daughters: Amy, Flora and Minnie.