OSBORNE, MAC AND GUSSIE (BOYER)

by Gussie Boyer Osborne

Entry F320 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Mac an Gussie Osborne Wedding May 18, 1924.

Mac Osborne was born 4 January 1898 near
Independence in Grayson County, Virginia to
Jonathan and Etta Murray Osborne. He had
an older brother, Loy, a younger brother
Wayne P., and sisters, Rose (Murray) and
Pearl (Austin). He came to nebraska in 1919
and worked on area ranches for two years,
then spent two years in Missouri where he
worked for Swift Produce Company at
Nevada, MO. With this experience, he re-
turned to Mullen in 1924 to start his own
produce business.

Gussie was born 6 July 1899 near Elkhart
Texas, to Hugh Bee and Sarah (Huntsman)
Boyer, and came to Mullen with her parents
in 1900. She attended country school in the
Virginia community for seven terms of 3 to
8 months each, then entered Mullen High
School when they had only two teachers.
Graduating in 1918 with Normal Training,
she taught three and one-half years in
country schools including herhome school in
the Virginia community. She attended Kear-
ney Normal School in the summers and took
correspondence courses to earn a Rural Life
Teaching Certificate. She then taught one
year at Riverdale, Nebraska before returning
to Mullen to serve as Hooker Co. Superinten-
dent of Schools in 1923-24.

Mac & Gussie were married at the Congre-
gational Church in Thedford May 18, 1924 by
Rev. Gideon. They purchased a small home
in Mullen and enjoyed it together until Mac's
death 47 years later.

Mac rented a creamery building at the east
end of Main Street from S.R. Babcock and
started a produce business, buying cream,
eggs, chickens, hides and furs. Two years
later the business was reorganized as Mullen
Producers Non-stock Cooperative Ass'n., and
Mac was hired as manager. In 1927, the
Mullen Cooperative Oil Company was orga-
nized and Mac was hired to manage both
businesses. He continued in this capacity
until his retirement June 30, 1968. Gussie
assisted him throughout the years as
bookkeeper and office manager. She also
served many years on the school board and
the hospital auxiliary. She has been a mem-
ber of the American Legion Auxiliary, the
United Methodist Women, and the Rebekah
Lodge for over 50 years. She is a past member
of Toastmasters and one of her greatest joys
has been writing poetry in honor or memory
of many friends of the community.

Their son' Burlin Wayne was born 26
February 1925. He married Martha Scott and
they now live in Seattle, Washington. Mac &
Gussie enjoyed company and had frequent
guests for meals or overnight. They also
provided a home for several students who
were attending high school, including Burlin
Boyer for 4 years, June Anders (Morris) for
4 years, and Doris Boyer (Stauffer) for one
year.

Mac served many years on the Mullen
Village Board and the Pioneer Memorial
Hospital Board. he was an active director of
the Bank of Mullen from the time of its
organization in 1935 until his death. He was
a member of Mullen Lodge 282 AF&AM, and
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mac
and Gussie were both members of the
Methodist Church and served in many
capacities. He was chairman of the building
committee when the new church was built in
1936 (now the Assembly of God Church). He
was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Mac died at a Kearney hospital 30 June
1971 and is buried in Cedarview Cemetery in
Mullen. Gussie still lives in the same house
they bought when they were married in 1924.