Thomas A. Osborne (New York politician)

Thomas A. Osborne
New York State Assembly
In office January 1, 1834 – December 31, 1834
Preceded by	Nathaniel Gray Alvin Plumb
Succeeded by	Orrin McClure John Woodward Jr.
3rd Judge of Chautauqua County, New York
In office 1843–1845
Preceded by	Elial T. Foote
Succeeded by	Thomas B. Campbell
Personal details
Born	July 1, 1800 Hoosick Falls, New York
Died	April 27, 1877(1877-04-27) (aged 76)
Political party	Jacksonian/Democrat
Occupation	Politician

Thomas Albert Osborne (July 1, 1800 – April 27, 1877) was an American attorney, jurist, politician and newspaper owner and editor. He served one term in the New York State Assembly (1834) alongside James Hall and was the 3rd Judge of Chautauqua County, New York (1843–1845).

Biography

Early life and career

Osborne was born on July 1, 1800, in Hoosick Falls, New York. In 1821, he moved from Tory to Fredonia in Chautauqua County, New York. In May 1822, he moved to Mayville. He was the original purchaser of two lots in the Town of Pomfret from the Holland Land Company. In June 1822, he pruchased lot 35 and in February 1824, he purchased of lot 29. He practiced law, entering a partnership with Jacob Houghton, working in Fredonia and Mayville. He later was a partner with John Birdsall and George A. Green.

In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Chautauqua County and made a stop in Westfield. Osborne was appointed to an arrangements committee to welcome Lafayette, and gave the address upon his arrival on behalf of the committee.

In 1834, Osborne, along with William Smith amd Smaule S. Whallon, established the Mayville Sentinel newspaper. The next year, it was sold to Beman Brockway. Osborne continued to serve as editor until 1836, when the land office was destroyed. In 1849, he pruchased an interest in the Frontier Express of Fredonia for his son, and served as editor before he sold his part to E.F. Foster. The newspapers was changed to the Chautauqua Union.

Osborne was married three times; first to Mary Walters, with whom he had two children, Gustavus and Mary; second to Eliza J. Huston; and third to Mary Derby, with whom he had a son, Albert.

Politics

In 1827, he ran for New York State Assembly as a Bucktail alongside James Mullett Jr. Both lost to the Anti-Masonic Party candidates Nathaniel Fenton and Nathan Mixer. He served as clerk of the Chautuauqa County Board of Supervisors from 1827 to 1830.

In 1833, he ran again along with James Hall as the Democratic Party's candidates. They won and went on to serve in the 57th New York State Legislature in 1834. He served as First Judge of the Court of Common Please from 1843 to 1845, having succeeded Elial T. Foote. In the 1850s, during the administration of Franklin Pierce, Osborne was Deputy Collector of the Port of New York under Heman J. Redfield and Greene C. Bronson.

Later life and death

Osborne died on April 27, 1877, at the age of 76. He was buried in Mayville Cemetery in Mayville, New York.

Electoral history

1827 New York State Assembly election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Bucktail	James Mullett Jr.	1,232	17.96%
	Anti-Masonic	Nathaniel Fenton	2,192	31.97%
	Anti-Masonic	Nathan Mixer	2,332	24.01%
	Bucktail	Thomas A. Osborne	1,101	16.06%

1833 New York State Assembly election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Hall
	Democratic	Thomas A. Osborne
	Anti-Masonic Party	Waterman Ellsworth
	Anti-Masonic Party	Austin Smith