JOHN W. ORSBURN was born in what is now Webster County, Ky., July 5, 1828, son of Randolph and Frances (Mooney) Orsburn. He is one of a numerous family, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was a North Carolinian, born in Rutherford County, October 13, 1795, and his mother was born in the same county, in 1799. The Orsburns came originally from Scotland. Subject's father emigrated from North Carolina to Henderson County, Ky., in 1818, and died in 1868. The mother of our subject died four years before his father's death. Mr. Orsburn, on coming of age, began farming for himself, and has since continued that occupation, save a short time when he resided in Sebree. His farm which is one of the finest in Webster County, is located about three miles, west of Sebree, and contains 550 acres. He was married, April 24, 1851, to Miss Nancy S. Whitsell, a native of Hopkins County, Ky., born July 23, 1832. The Whitsell family came from Georgia. To Mr. and Mrs. Orsburn have been born eleven children: Arbelia, Mary F., Anna C., Lynn B., Sallie F., Donia E., Luke T., John G., Charles M., William R. and James M. Mr. and Mrs. Orsburn are members of the Christian Church. For fifty-six years, Mr. Orsburn has resided near where he was born, and is one of the few men, now living, who have resided in Webster County for more than a half century. He is a Democrat.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 1041-1042.