Sidney Vivilla Osborn, now at the head of an extensive coal, grain and lumber business in Branford, is not only an important factor in commercial circles but also occupies a prominent position in public affairs, having represented his district in the state legislature several terms. A native of Connecticut, he was born in Woodbury, Litchfield county, on the 10th of March, 1856, and is a worthy repreentative of one of the oldest families of this state, his parents being Aaron A. and Polly (Bishop) Osborn. Thomas Osborn, who settled in New Haven in 1665, had three sons, one of whom settled in Stratford. Connecticut, and another in Guilford, while the third remained in New Haven, and it is from the one that went to Stratford that our subject is descended. The family is of English origin. Our subject's father, Aaron A. Osborn, was born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, which was also the birthplace of the grandfather. Daniel Osborn. In early life the former learned the trade of spoon making but later, on account of his health, had to take up outdoor work and became a mason, which occupation he followed in Woodbury, Connecticut, until several years after the death of his wife, when he removed to Milford, this state, where he passed away. His wife was born in Woodbury and was a daughter of Ira and Mabel (Spalding) Bishop, who were also of old New England stock.

During his boyhood Sidney Vivilla Osborn attended the district schools but his advanages along that line were very limited and he is a self-educated as well as a self-made man. At an early age he did farm work and Inter was in the employ of Burton Brothers in the grain, milling and grocery business at Woodbury. He gradually worked his way upward until he became manager of their branch establishment at Minortown and also had charge of the postoffice. In 1879 he was married at Woodbury and then located on a farm which he purchased in the northern part of Branford. New Haven county, being successfully engaged in its operation for twelve years. At the end of that time he purchased wharf property near the railroad depot in the village of Branford and in 1892 began business under the name of the S. V. Osborn Company, dealers in coal, grain, teed, etc. Five years later he purchased his partner's interest and now carries on the business under the name of S. V. Osborn, handling coal, grain and lumber. He not only owns and operates a sawmill and grain elevator but has also erected a large coal elevator, which was one of the first established in Connecticut adapted to this method of handling coal. Mr. Osborn was one of the organizers of the Branford Savings Bank, of which he was a director and auditor for many years, and he also assisted in organizing the Brauford Trust Company, of which he is still a director.

On the 6th of May. 1879, Mr. Osborn married Miss Emma Tyler, a native of Middlebury. Connecticut, where her parents, Daniel and Elvira (Hines) Tyler, were also born. The Tyler family came from England and was founded in Connecticut early in the seventeenth century. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have two children: Sidney Vivilla, Jr., who was born in Branford, January 23, 1888, and assists his father in business; and Mabel Bishop, born in Branford, May 1, 1902.

The family is identified with the Congregational church and Mr. Osborn is also a member of Widows Son Lodge, No. 66, of Branford; Woodland Lodge, K. P.; and the New England Order of Protection. In politics he is a stanch republican and is a recognized leader in the party ranks. He has filled a number of local offices, serving as town tax assessor, a member of the school board, first selectman for three terms, and on the board for six terms. He was the first borough tax collector and collected the first taxes in the village. In 1899 he was the nominee of his party for representative to the state legislature but the vote was a tie and he lost. In 1907 he was elected first selectman and most ably filled the office until 1909. The following year he was elected to the state legislature and served during the session of 1911-12, at which time he secured an appropriation of forty thousand dollars for the erection of a new armory at Branford, that is now an ornament to the village. Mr. Osborn was defeated for reelection in 1913 when the progressive movement split the regular republican vote but in 1914 and again in 1916 he was elected a member of the house and is still representing his district in the general assembly. He has served on a number of important committees, including the roads, bridges and rivers committee, on which he serves at the present time and which is second in importance only to the judiciary committee; and he was chairman of the agricultural committee of 1914-15 and a member of the manufacturing committee in 1911. Although his advantages in youth were limited he has steadily overcome all obstacles in the path to success and is today one of Branford's most prominent and influential citizens and one of the leading members of the Connecticut legislature.