Chas. J. Osborn

(1894-1918)


Chas. J. Osborn

Location of Plaque 2015

Rauch and Lang Carriage Company, Cleveland, OH

Photo Credit 

SS Canopic

Charles James Osborn's gravestone, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France

Charles James Osborn


Birth: 10/15/1894; "Austria-Slovenia"

Address: 3307 W. 97th St., Cleveland, OH

Demographics: age 22 when drafted; single; Caucasian; naturalized citizen; occupation Machinist/Automatic Operator at Rauch and Lang Carriage Company, 2163 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH (from 1905-1920 manufacturer of electric automobiles and also tractors, trucks and bomb handling equipment for the U.S. Armed Forces in WWI)  

Draft Date/Enlistment Date/Rank: 6/5/1917; 5/25/1918; Private

Service Number: 2657737

Deployment: 7/21/1918 from New York aboard ship SS Canopic

Action: 15 Co 2 Inf Repl Regt Cp Gordon GA to July 12/18; Co H 26 Inf to death; Private May 25/18; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector, AEF July 21/18 to death; Died of Wounds Oct 15/18

Death: October 15, 1918, his birthday, at age 24; Died of Wounds 

Burial: buried in 2 different locations in France before permanent interment at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France, Plot B Row 23 Grave 4

Next of Kin: Mrs. Anna Osborn Fortune (or may be Fortuna), mother, 3307 W. 97th St., Cleveland, OH

Additional Information: immigrated to U.S. in 1899; in 1910 Census "Charlie," age 16, was employed as a laborer at a hat factory and living with mother, stepfather and multiple siblings; no information found on father; mother Annie Osborn Fortune (or Fortuna), b. Austria-Germany, immigrated 1899; stepfather Peter Fortuna, born Austria-Slovenia, occupation Cabinet Maker; 3 siblings: Frank, John (occupation well-driller) and Annie; 3 step-siblings: Fanny, Mamie, Peter and Ruth;  Charles Osborn and older brother Frank C. Osborn registered for the draft on the same day (June 5 1917); brother Frank C. Osborn was honorably discharged on 2/18/1919