Frank B. Ogborn, the genial and popular merchant of Pine Village, and member of the town board, is a representative of one of the most respected and well known families in Warren county. He was born in Pine township, on his father's farm, March 9, 1864, is a son of Amos Ogborn, and a grandson of William Ogborn. The grandfather of our subject moved from New Jersey to Ohio in the early part of the present century and remained there until his death. Three sons and three daughters became residents of this state, Dr. Job Ogborn, of Lafayette, being among the number.
Amos Ogborn was born in New Jersey, February 27, 1816, and grew to manhood in his native state. He was married to Lucinda Gage and in 1839 settled in Pine township, this county, about a mile west of the village of that name. He entered a heavily timbered piece of land for a homestead, cleared off the timber and converted it into a fine farm. His wife died April 4, 1865, after becoming the mother of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. Five sons and one daughter are still living, namely: Nathan S., a minister of the gospel residing in Pine township; Charles W.; Amos M., also a clergyman and a resident of California; John L., of this township; Frank B., our subject; and the daughter is Mrs. Alice Dinwiddie, who resides on the old homestead. Amos Ogborn contracted a second alliance with Rebecca Kirk. His death occurred on the morning of April 26, 1894, in Pine Village, to which he had removed about one year previously. He was in his seventy-ninth year, and died in the ripeness of age and the consciousness of a well spent life. The disease which eventually shortened his days was supposed to be a cancer, which caused him great suffering, the pain being endured with great fortitude and Christian resignation. He was an earnest member of the United Brethren church, and illustrated the beauty of his belief by his daily life. By industry and thrift he had succeeded in securing a competency, while his upright demeanor placed him above reproach. He was an ardent Republican.
Frank B. Ogborn was reared on his father's farm and attended the public schools. Later he was a student in Green Hill Seminary for one year, and completed his education in the Central Normal School, at Danville, Indiana. He then took up teaching, and for six years was one of the most efficient teachers in Warren county. He came to Pine Village and opened his present store in 1884, soon building up a large, remunerative trade. His affable, courteous treatment of his patrons and his earnest efforts to meet the demands of his trade have brought and held him a great many customers. He was married September 3, 1884, to Miss Anna Ambler, a daughter of Elijah and Hannah Ambler, of Chase, Benton county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ogborn have two children, Edith and Vernon. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the center of a large social circle. Mr. Ogborn is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity, while in politics his is a decided Republican.
[From Biographical History of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski Counties, Indiana; Vol. I; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1899]
Frank B. Ogborn was born on March 9, 1864, near Pine Village, Warren county, Indiana, and during his youth he received the benefit of a common school education, supplementing this by two years' attendance at the Central Normal College, Danville, Indiana. He then engaged in teaching school and was so occupied during the ensuring five terms. He then engaged in the general merchandise business at Pine Village and in this enterprise he has met with a very gratifying degree of success. His is the only store of the kind at Pine Village and he controls the trade over a wide community. He is courteous and obliging in his relations with his customers and makes friends of all who have dealings with him.
On September 26, 1885, Mr. Ogborn was united in marriage with Anna Ambler, who was born near Pine Village on June 16, 1864. To this union were born two children, namely: Edith, who is the wife of George Dove, who lives at Coal City, Illinois, where he is train dispatcher for the Frisco lines; Clifford Vernon is in the store with his father. Mrs. Anna Ogborn died in 1905 and on November 3, 1907, Mr. Ogborn married Mary Stetzell.
Politically, Mr. Ogborn is a Republican, and has taken a live interest in the success of the party. He is now serving his second term as a member of the board of county commissioners, in which capacity he is giving the people and efficient administration. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Oxford, the Knights of Pythias at Pine Village, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Lafayette, the Modern Woodmen of America at Pine Village and the Tribe of Ben Hur at Pine Village.
Mr. Ogborn is a hustler in business matters and is achieving a noteworthy success. He owns the home in which he lives at Pine Village and the brick building in which the store is located. Besides the general merchandise business, he is also successful as a fire insurance salesman, it being worthy of note that for the 1911 he stood seventh best among the salesmen for his company in the state of Indiana. Starting out twenty-five years ago with a capital of but two hundred and fifty dollars, he has by perseverance and industry, gained a high standing among the successful business men of Warren county.
[From Past and Present of Fountain and Warren Counties Indiana; edited by Thomas A. Clifton of the Covington Republican; B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1913]