Joseph Oborn and his wife who were born in Pennsylvania, were respectively, of Scotch and Irish descent.  Upon coming to Ohio, they first settled in Perry County, removing later, in 1835, to Richland township, Marion County, where Joseph Oborn entered land — the farm that our subject now owns.  After a short residence here, they returned to Perry County for one year, and then came back to Marlon County, making the trip in wagons, often finding it necessary to cut their way through the timber.  Joseph Oborn erected a log house, began clearing the land, and with his wife battled with all kinds of hardships to make a living and raise their family.  Upon the discovery of gold in California, he joined the fortune-seekers in their journey to the far West.  His search for the precious metal not proving successful, he started home in the summer by way of the Isthmus of Panama.  He was taken sick while crossing the isthmus, died on the 6th of August, 1850, aged 59 years and 6 months and buried there.  By those who remember him, Joseph Oborn is said to have been a good scholar, with an extensive knowledge of surveying and trigonometry by which he could figure eclipses of the sun and moon.  He excelled in writing and penmanship.  For many years he was school examiner in Richland township: before he would issue a certificate to teacher, the applicant had to satisfy him that he could make a pen out of a quill and write a good, legible hand.  His wife Mary survived him many years, dying April 7, 1880, aged 91 years and one month, and being buried in the Marion Cemetery.

William Oborn was born in Perry County, Ohio, and was the eldest of a family of three children in the parental family, the others being Joseph, and Jane, who married Benjamin Waddel. William accompanied his parents to Marion County in childhood and thereafter lived on the homestead in Richland township, which he helped to clear and put under cultivation, enduring, many hardships in the first years of his residence here.  He married Mary Jane Emery and to them nine children were born, namely Albert; Benjamin, deceased; Elmer; Mary Jane, who married Samuel Beringer; Ida C., who married Wesley King; John; Ella, who married Ambrose Myers; Roscoe; and William.  The father of our subject died on the home place November 10, 1883; our subject's mother, died January 27, 1898.

Albert Oborn was reared and has always lived on his present farm, having bought the land from his father's estate.  The farm, which is situated on the banks of the Whetstone River, is called "River View Farm" and is one of the best improved and most highly cultivated properties in its section of the county. ,The house which Mr. Oborn and his family occupy was erected by his father.

Mr. Oborn was married October 19, 1889 to Cora Reber, a daughter of Felix and Harriet (Brobst) Reber.  Felix Reber, who was born, reared and educated in Fairfield County, Ohio, was connected with the well-known Reber and Peters families of Pickaway and Fairfield counties, Ohio.

Felix Reber came to Marion County in 1871 and bought and located on a farm of 320 acres, the greater of which is still owned by his son Frank.  Mr. Reber died March 11, 1887, and his widow died November 10,1905, aged 73 years.  Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reber; Samuel; Sarah, who married George W. King; Ida, who married James Hill; Frank; Eugene, who died September 15, 1897; Cora, the wife of our subject; and Nellie (Holverstott). 

Mr. and Mrs. Oborn are the parents of three children: Harold R., Eugene W. and Gertrude.  Mr. Oborn is a Republican and ran for county commissioner when the county was Democratic by a majority of over 900, and came within about 100 votes of being elected, which gives evidence of his popularity and good standing among his friends and fellow citizens.  He was a director of the Marion County Agricultural Society for six years and president of the Fair Board two years.  He is at present President of the School Board, of which he has been a member for a number of years.  He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Marion County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.  He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has served as class leader and at different times as superintendent of the Sunday-school since the death of his father, who held that office for many years prior to his death.  Mr. Oborn's portrait accompanies this sketch.

Family Group Sheet of William OBORN & Mary Jane EMERY

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