Osborn Removal Company Records

The Osborn Removal Company (ORC) was organized and incorporated in March, 1920. Its sole purpose was to relocate the town of Osborn, which was situated on land marked out by the Miami Conservancy District as part of its flood control plain. Since the town would have to be moved if it were not to be demolished, several local business men decided to attempt relocation. For this reason they organized the Osborn Removal Company and acquired land for a new town site adjacent to the village of Fairfield. Fairfield tried, unsuccessfully, to annex the new plat. The ORC Board of Trustees hired the Dayton based firm of Cellarius and Dressler as engineers and designers of the new town, and contracted with Geiger and Dill to install gravel streets, new curbs, sidewalks and gutters. Sheeler and Son Company was hired to do the actual moving of Osborn's buildings. When the buildings were moved, it was necessary to relocate many telephone and telegraph wires, gas lines and electric lines, in addition to three sections of major railroad tracks. The ORC was involved in several lawsuits with various contractors, employees and disgruntled citizens during its eight years of existence. The company was dissolved, as planned, in 1928, after it had completed the work for which it had been organized. The company issued 1,000 shares of stock, and was capitalized at $100,000.00. The First National Bank of Osborn was its depository, paying interest on the ORC account and providing loans for the purchasers of its buildings. The company's articles of incorporation were signed by Morris D. Rice, G. E. Bailey, F. M. Copenhefer, Harry E. Frahn, H. R. Kendig, Earl W. Burrowes and F.C. Massey. At the first board meeting, held on March 8, 1920, Harry Frahn was elected president and H.R. Kendig was elected secretary. They were re elected annually thereafter. Most of the company's business was conducted by Morris Rice, and the first board meeting was held at his office in Osborn. The minutes of the ORC's final meeting, on March 27, 1928, include a motion to store the company's papers in the basement of the First National Bank.