J. Prosser Osbourn's Early Life, and Education

James Prosser Osbourn, born in 1841 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Hester Osbourn his mother and his father also by the name of James. James (the son), got his middle name from his grandfather who was James Prosser, a prominent restaurant owner in Philadelphia in the 1840s and 50s. His grandfather left a significant amount of money to James's mother and his siblings after he passed away.

James Prosser Osbourn attended Central College in 1855 at the age of 14 and finished in 1858. He later went on to Oberlin College, which was another very prominent African-American school and finished his academic career in 1860.

Later in life he would move back to his native hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to begin working is his own restaurant; just as his grandfather did.