George Osmond, Jr.

Wikipedia Biographical Summary:

"...George Osmond (May 23, 1836 – after 1901) was a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as a judge and state senator in Wyoming.

Osmond was born in London, England. In 1850 he became a shipbuilder's apprentice in Woolwich. It was from fellow apprentices he first heard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized on November 27, 1850. In 1854 he sailed in the Clara Wheeler to New Orleans and then went to St. Louis where he worked for James Eads. In 1855 while still in St. Louis Osmond married Georgina Huckvale.

In 1855 Osmond and his bride went to Utah. They first settled in Bountiful, Utah and later moved to Willard, Utah. In 1864 they moved to the vicinity of Bear Lake in the town of Bloomington, Idaho..."

"...At various times Osmond served as a probate judge and a justice of the peace. From 1898 to 1901 Osmond served two terms as a member of the Wyoming State Senate..."

SOURCE: Wikipedia contributors. "George Osmond (politician)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 28 Mar. 2011. Web. 8 May. 2011.

________________________________________________________________________________

Brief History of George Osmond (1836-1913):

George Osmond was a native of England, convert to the LDS Church, emigrant to Utah, pioneer of Bear Lake Valley, Bishop of Bloomington Ward, and President of Star Valley Stake. George Osmond was born in London, England, on May 23, 1836. He was the son of George and Nancy Ann (Canham) Osmond.

When he was 14 years of age, he was apprenticed to learn the ship-building trade at the government dockyard in Woolwich, near London. It was while he was there that he was invited by a friend to attend an LDS meeting. He heard the gospel message, believed, and was baptized on November 27, 1850, six months before his 15th birthday.

When he was 18 years of age he emigrated to America with the object of joining the Saints in Utah. He sailed to New Orleans and then traveled by steamboat to St. Louis. At St. Louis, in June 1855, he married Mary Georgina Huckvale (b. 1835), a convert to the LDS Church whom he had known in England. Together they crossed the plains and arrived in Salt Lake City in September of 1855.

The first home of George Osmond was in Bountiful, where he operated a small farm and was employed as a school teacher. He then moved to Willard and obtained a homestead. In 1865, he moved to Bear Lake Valley and settled at Bloomington, Idaho. He became presiding elder of the Bloomington Branch in 1871 and in 1875 Bishop of the ward. When Bear Lake Stake was organized in 1877, George Osmond was chosen as second counselor to President William Budge. He served with diligence in this capacity and assisted in building up the settlements in Bear Lake Valley.

On September 8, 1881, George Osmond married his second wife, Christena Serina Amelia Jacobsen (b.1862). In 1884, George Osmond was called on a two-year LDS mission to England, where he served as assistant editor of the Millennial Star. In 1890, he was again called on a two-year LDS mission to the British Isles, where he served as president of the Scottish and London Districts.

When the Star Valley Stake was organized in August 1892, George Osmond was chosen as the first president. He moved to Afton the same year and there established a permanent home with his second wife, Amelia. He met all the problems incident to the establishment of L.D.S. communities in the fertile valley. He also took part in civic life and served as Justice of the Peace, Probate Judge, and as State Senator in the Wyoming Legislature for two terms. He died in Afton, Wyoming, on March 25, 1913.

Obituary of George Osmond Jr., The Paris Post, Paris, Idaho, Printed April 4, 1913

Funeral Services for President George Osmond:

Bloomington, April 3-Impressive and inspirational funeral services were held over the remains of President George Osmond in the meeting house at Bloomington Saturday, March 29th at two P.M. Appropriate musical selections were rendered by the Bloomington choir under the able leadership of Abraham O. Christensen.

It was one of the largest funerals ever held in Bloomington. In addition to the greatest part of the adult population of Bloomington being present a great many friends from St. Charles, Paris, Montpelier and other parts of the stake came to pay their last tribute of respect to the great and good man who was so universally loved.

The speakers were F.M. Winters, Bishop E.M. Pugmire, Clarence Gardner, W.W. Burton, President Wm. L. Rich, Bishop Alma Findlay, and President Jos. R. Shepherd. These men were nearly all life-long friends of the deceased, and their remarks were listened to with breathless appreciation by the large congregation. The speeches were not formal and conventional funeral sermons, but simple and sincere tributes of affection to the friend that they dearly loved. Sense of loss was felt in every heart, but they were all grateful for the long life that was so rich in service and devotion.

President George Osmond was born in London England May 23rd 1836. He was apprenticed in 1850 to the ship building trade in the Government dock yard at Woolwich, near London. He possessed such great natural aptitude for this work and studied so persistently that he soon placed himself at the head of the classes in the school. This proposition would have entitled him to a splendid college education free of charge, had he continued in the service.

At this time however he heard Mormon Elders preach and was at once converted. He therefore gave up his position in the school and began preaching the gospel. In 1884, when President Osmond returned to England he called on his friend who had taken the place in school left vacant by him. In addition to the college education that his friend had received, he had a splendid pension, and a magnificent home, all of which had been given him by the shipyard company.

Four years after his conversion he immigrated to New Orleans and then worked his way northward to St. Louis. The following year he married Georgiana Huckvale, and with her came across the plains to Salt Lake City. After having lived in Bountiful, Davis County, and Willard, Box Elder County, for a while, he, in 1864, came to Bear Lake Valley, Idaho, where he spent many years of the most valuable part of his life. He served as Bishop of Bloomington for many years and later was chosen counselor to President Budge of the Bear Lake Stake.

In addition to his many positions in the Church, he was very active in civil interests of life. He was probate judge of Bear Lake county and also state senator of the Wyoming legislature during the sessions 1898-99 and 1900-01.

He filled two missions to Great Britain, during which time he traveled extensively through England and on the continent. He was also President of the Liverpool Conference and editor of the Millennial Star. After returning from his last mission to Great Britain in 1892 he was called to Star Valley to be president of that stake, a position that he held until his death, which occurred in Afton Wyoming, March 25th 1913.

President Osmond was a remarkable man, in any environment and among any people he would have been eminent; but, like the Apostle Paul, his greatness was manifested as a servant of Jesus Christ. His life was kindly, chaste and genial and bright as the noon-day sun. He could make himself at home in all kinds of company and had a wonderful aptitude for service in all relations of life. He was particularly devoted to the plain people and consecrated the best efforts of his life to their interests. As an example of his devotion to them, he at one time contracted with the government, through its agent, to furnish a large amount of oats for the mail stations that were located in the Snake River Valley. After the contract was signed and sealed President said to the agent, "what do I get out of this?" The agent replied that he, of course would deduct a liberal commission from the contract price. President Osmond responded, "That is not my way of doing business, the people shall have every cent of the contract price, but you ought to give me something for my work."
 The agent being wholly unacquainted with such methods of doing business, was perplexed but finally agreed to give a small compensation for President Osmond's work. In succeeding years after the contract was made, the agent would jokingly say, "Well, Mr. Osmond, what is your present to be?"

President Osmond was passionately fond of music and possessed rare literary ability. Some of his poems and masters pieces of verse, and it is only in the matter of quantity that he was not one of the great literary artists of his age. While he has passed to the great beyond, his numerous friends believe that his memory can never die.

Services at Afton:

At the funeral services held at Afton, Wyoming, Counselor Clarence Gardner presided. In speaking of the deceased, he said among other things, "President Osmond was always striving to do his duty and to accomplish good in the earth. His last words were, "God bless you brother," with instructions and suggestions respecting stake matters. He has given counsel enough to make us a good people. He gained the confidence and love of all. Those who lived a Christian life like President Osmond, can safely say, "grave where is thy victory, O death where is thy sting." His death is our loss. But this loss is his infinite gain, for he died unto the Lord ad he shall rest from his labors."

Other speakers Bishop Hyde of Auburn, Bishop Bracken of Freedom, Thomas Walton, C. H. Haderlie, Thomas F. Burton, and Bishop Low, all paid high tributes to the work and worth of the deceased.

Contributed by Thomas Sleight:

When the news reached Paris of the death of President George Osmond, many sympathetic hearts were touched because of the love and respect they had for him. He was but a young man when he came to this country, in 1864, having a few years before immigrated to America from England. Because of his natural makeup it was easy for him to become an American of the best type; his physical and mental powers had never been abused and they were so well balanced that the obstacles of life were made easy to overcome.

In 1865 and 1866 he taught school in Paris and instead of carrying a whip and a cross look to enforce his rules, he studied the disposition of his pupils, won their love and respect, and made a success of the school.

As a journalist, he was above the average in early days and at one time was editor of the Paris newspaper, then called the Democrat. I well remember one of his editorials on the timber question, which if adhered to, would have saved this country thousands of dollars. He told the wood haulers and loggers when working in the canyon not to cut thrifty saplings to use for a binder every time they loaded their wagons, but make one do for the season. This advice has since been given by Roosevelt and others who have been interested in the timber question.

As farmer and a horticulturist, he was always expected to enlighten us on these subjects at our conferences, because of his many experiments in producing grains and fruits. He could eat apples grown on his own lot when many of us had given up in despair. He was the first to file a possessory claim to a small spring in Lanark, since know as the "Osmond Springs," which name should be retained on the county map in honor of George Osmond, the friend of Peace.

From the Star Valley Independent:

Like a wave of gloom engulfing everyone, was the news of the passing away of the great leader and Stake President, George Osmond. It came as a personal loss to thousands, because not alone has his position placed him as a spiritual adviser to the Latter Day Saints of Star Valley Stake, but his kindness of heart, his unselfishness and his wide experience, have brought him in very close touch with the masses and they loved him for they never found him wanting when they have made a call on him.

The Tabernacle was perhaps the laurel in his crown in which he took great pleasure and he was pleased to see its completion. True to his Priesthood and his callings he has been a worthy friend and counselor to many; he had a gift of clear thought and well defined expression, and as a public speaker, he carried his audiences with his clear annunciation of facts, and forceful arguments, coupled with his inspiring and soul lifting expression. His life has been an inspiration to all, his death has left a gloom in the hearts of all who knew him.

After an illness of three weeks George Osmond, President of the Star Valley Stake passed away at his home in Afton, on Tuesday March 25th, 1913, surrounded by his family and friends.

George Osmond was born in England, May 23, 1836 and in his youth immigrated to Zion. He shortly afterward located at Bloomington, Idaho, where he became very active in church matters. After his second mission spent in England, where he held the position as editor of the Millennial Star some of the time, he returned home in May 1892, and the following August the Star Valley Stake was organized and he was selected to fill the office of President, which position he had filled well and nobly.

Funeral services were held in the Tabernacle, Thursday afternoon, and a large concourse of people assembled to pay their last respects to the honored leader. President Clarence Gardner conducted the services. The speakers were Clarence Gardner, Thomas Walton, C.H. Haderlie, Bishop Hyde, Bishop Bracken, Arthur F. Burton and Bishop Oz Low. The choir sang special selections, and Mark Hurd and Thomas Burton sang a duet. The tabernacle was draped in white. There was an abundance of floral offerings both in the hall and on the casket.

After the services the remains were taken back to the home and will be taken to Bloomington today and funeral services held tomorrow in the Bloomington meeting house, interment taking place in the cemetery there. He leaves a large family and a legion of friends to mourn his loss.

• Immigration: Sep 5 1855 - Utah, United States
• Immigration: 1857 - Utah, United States
• Residence: Bloomington, , Idaho, United States
• Residence: 1851 - Charlton, Kent, England
• Residence: 1860 - Box Elder, Utah Territory, United States
• Residence: Census - 1870 - Rich, Utah Territory, United States
• Residence: 1880 - Bloomington, Bear Lake, Idaho, United States
• Residence: 1910 - Afton, , Wyoming
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Apr 10 2021, 15:13:19 UTC
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Nov 17 2021, 11:29:43 UTC
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jun 11 2022, 13:09:28 UTC
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Feb 2 2023, 12:11:06 UTC