Brevet. Brig. Gen. Lindorf Ozburn

Col. Army 31st IL Inf, and Co H, 1st IL Inf Mexican War.

Husband of Diza Manning Glenn, m. Oct 9, 1845, Jackson County, Illinois

Father of Donaldson M, Walter L, John L, Illinois "Lillian" (Robarts), Louella, Allen & Alexander M.

Source: Biographical excerpt from A History of Southern Illinois by George Washington Smith M.A.:

Mr. Ozburn was one of the pioneer settlers of Jackson county and here became a citizen of prominence and influence and an aggressive and successful business man.

In addition to developing an excellent farm he also operated a saw and grist mill, and as a citizen he was distinctively progressive and public-spirited.

He espoused the cause of the Republican party at the time of its organization and thereafter continued his allegiance to the same until his death. He served as a valiant soldier of the Union in the Civil War, for which he enlisted in an Illinois regiment of volunteer infantry and he became colonel of his regiment, which he commanded with marked ability.

He met his death in 1864, at the hands of a cowardly assassin, this tragic event occurring at Carbondale, Jackson county. His widow passed to the life eternal in 1895, and of their children three sons and two daughters are now living.

Source: From the book "James G. Blaine, a sketch of his life, with a brief record of the life of John A. Logan" by George Wolcott Balestier, pub. 1884 in New York by R. Worthington. On page 257:

Lieutenant Merriman, who for a time was General Logan's secretary in the war, relates, in "The Waterbury American" , how General Logan cashiered his own brother-in-law, Colonel Osborne.

Orders had been issued to organize negro regiments. The report came to Logan that Osborne had publicly declared to his regiment that he had not come there "to fight to free the niggers." "Logan at once sent for his brother-in-law to come to his headquarters," says Lieutenant Merriman. "I was present when Osborne arrived. Logan asked him if the statements were true that he had been talking in that way to his regiment. Osborne replied in the affirmative and repeated the sentiment. Logan roared with rage like a lion. I cannot repeat his language, but the words came hot and thick from an outraged heart. Finally, pausing, he told Osborne he was not fit to command a Union regiment, and to write out his resignation at once and be cashiered. Osborne, abashed and overawed, obeyed, and Logan wrote approved on the back of the paper and forwarded it immediately by an aide to General Grant's headquarters.

Before night Osborne was without a commission, out of the army, and reduced to the position of a mere citizen of Illinois.

Source: Jonesboro Gazette 18 Jul 1930:

H. O. Ozburn committed suicide Saturday (12 Jul 1930).

He was president of Citizens State & Savings Bank at Murphysboro, Jackson County. He was the grandson of Col. Lendorf Ozburn, of Col. Logan's 31st Illinois Infantry. During the Civil War he disciplined a private, William Weaver, a recruit from Marion County, by requiring him to carry a heavy piece of timber aimlessly back and forth for several hours. Weaver threatened to kill him and Ozburn was recommended to resign for his own safety.

After the victory at Vicksburg, there was a great reception at Carbondale and most of the soldiers re-enlisted. Mrs. Logan made a specific plea for Col. Ozburn not to attend because of the threats made by Weaver. Weaver found Ozburn in the general store of Reuben Weaver in Carbondale next door to the present location of Carbondale Building & Loan Association. Col. Ozburn was sitting in a chair with his back to the door. Weaver picked up a four-pound weight and hit Col. Ozburn over the head, killing him instantly.

The Jackson County sheriff went to Carbondale to arrest Weaver, but the soldiers threatened to shoot him if he arrested Weaver. The sheriff appealed to Col. Robert Pearce, who refused to give up Weaver, and said a military court would try him. The next day the soldiers started south to Cairo. Weaver became drunk at Cairo and decided to return to Carbondale, was arrested and lodged in jail at Murphysboro. A mob stormed the jail and Weaver was shot to death.--Carbondale Herald, 4th inst.

• Source - Find a grave memorial

Lindorf Ozburn served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was appointed quartermaster of the 31 Illinois Infantry Regiment on 18 Sep 1861. On April 6, 1862, the regimental officers unanimously selected Ozburn as colonel, and a commission from Springfield followed. In Feb. 1863 he was forced to resign his commission.