DANIEL T. OZBUN. The attractiveness of Greene county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of its native sons have continued to remain as its citizens after reaching manhood. Among this number is Mr. Ozbun, who is now successfully carrying on farming near Carrollton. He was born in Roodhouse township, Greene county, on the 7th of October, 1839, and is a son of Benjamin F. Ozbun. The family is of Scotch and Welsh lineage and was established in America in early colonial days. Representatives of the name removing to Tennessee became owners of large plantations there. The grandfather, Bartholomew Ozbun, who was born in North Carolina on the 10th of March, 1776, went to Tennessee, where he remained for a number of years and some of his brothers became residents of Indiana. The grandfather, however, accompanied by his son Benjamin F., came to Illinois in 1834, his son Daniel having previously located in Greene county. In 1816 the grandfather had made a trip to the southern portion of Illinois, where he remained for a year, but later returned to Tennessee and afterward spent a short time in Indiana. In 1832, however, he again went to Indiana and located in Greene county, where he remained until 1834, when he came to Greene county, Illinois. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Abbott, who was born November 16, 1785.

Among their children was Benjamin Ozbun, the father of our subject, whose birth occurred in Sumner county, Tennessee, November 18, 1810. With his father he came to Illinois in the fall of 1834, becoming a resident of Greene county. At that time he had a cash capital of fifty cents and he also owned a horse, which he had ridden from Tennessee to Indiana and afterwards to this state. He began work for Samuel Thomas for twelve dollars per month and was employed in the neighborhood as a farm hand for about two years. He was then married on the 9th of July, 1837, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy McCool, a native of Polk county, Tennessee. They became te parents of ten children, of whom four are now living. After their marriage the young couple settled on a tract of land which he had entered from the government in the northwestern part of the county and he at once began to cultivate and improve what hitherto had been raw prairie. He resided thereon until 1854, when he sold the property and for a few years rented land from Samuel Thomas. In 1857, however, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in the northwestern part of Kane township and continued to make his home thereon throughout his remaining days. As his financial resources increased he added to this from time to time until he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres. He was there engaged in general farming and his enterprise and business activity were salient characteristics in his life. He was also a good citizen and kind and devoted husband and father. He passed away July 18, 1885, amid the deep regret of many friends. His son Robert then took up the management of the farm for his mother, who resided upon the old homestead until her death, which occurred on the 7th of March, 1895.

Daniel T. Ozbun, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, was sent to the subscription schools at an early day and when he had put aside his text books he learned the carpenter's trade, living at home up to the time of his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated on the 7th of April, 1875. He wedded Susan J. Summers, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Tunnell) Summers, also natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Ozbun had five children: Charles U., who is now living on the old homestead; Alice E., now the wife of H. W. Forman, clerk of Carrollton township, and a resident of Carrollton; Jackson L., who was born February 6, 1881, and died July 30, 1903; Allen Tunnell, who was born November 6, 1885, and died July 8, 1886; and Elmer, who was born September 3, 1889, and is at home with his parents.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Ozbun purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he now resides. It was a timber tract and clearing away the trees, he plowed the fields, planted his crops and in due course of time developed rich tracts. He inherited forty acres of the homestead property and he purchased sixty acres in addition to the homestead. He has altogether at the present time one hundred and eighty acres of land, which is very arable and productive and he is now successfully carrying on general farming. He also raises cattle and hogs and has added to his income in this way. There are good buildings on his place, well located, and there is also excellent bearing orchards. Mr. Ozbun has served as a school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, for he realizes the value of instruction as a preparation for the practical and responsible duties of life. He and his family have long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church as faithful and helpful members, and he gives his political allegiance to the Democracy. He is a man of firm convictions, of strong purposes and honorable motives, and his life record is in many respects well worthy of commendation.