[2] For a time Osborn worked as a newspaper reporter and editor; later he served as a delegate to the Arizona state constitutional convention of 1910.

[3] Despite being elected three times as secretary of state by wide margins in the 1910s,[4] Osborn had little political success for the next two decades.

The best example occurred at the very beginning of his governorship: Upon taking office, Osborn had the state's top officials turn in a signed, but undated, resignation letter.

During his fourth term, Osborn suffered from Lou Gehrig's Disease and was hardly able to communicate with his staff.

John Preston and the Governor's father Neri Osborn both served in the territorial legislature.