William H. Osmun Sr., one of Oakland county's oldest and most respected pioneer citizens, died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Charles S. BArtlett, of this city, early Sunday morning. He was 88 years old. He was born in Tompkins county, New York, in 1816, and came to Michigan and settled in Oakland County in 1836. During his life he has witnessed many changes and has been one of the most useful men in his community, identifying himself with its enterprises and giving moral and substantial aid to whatever he believed to be for the promotion of its best interest. His occupation has been of a farmer and a free Methodist preacher, in both of which he has been successful. Mr. Osmun was a Whig until the organization of the republican party hen he joined the ranks of those who worked for John C. Fremont and later for Abraham Lincoln. He served a number of years as constable in this county. When Mr. Osmun first saw Oakland county, in 1836, he was full of hope, but possessed of but little money, and has in his old age been very fond of telling of his early experiences. That was at a time when even the necessities of life came high. He has often said: "Money was scarce then and everything was extremely high. I would sometimes have to wait two weeks to raise 25 cents to pay the postage on a letter from the east. Corn was $2 per bushel, with other grains proportionately high." In 1845 he returned to New York state, where he remained for 22 years, when he was again struck with western fever and for a second time settled in this county. His farming and other ventures proved very successful, so that he was able to retire some years ago, with a considerable fortune. He is survived by a wife and five children: William H. Osmun Jr., of this city; Mrs. H. W. Young, of Waterford; Charles W. Osmun, wholesale popcorn dealer, Detroit; Mrs Lewis Young and Mrs. Charles Bartlett, of this city. The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. B. I. Ives of Auburn, N. Y., an old associate of Mr. Osmun, Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the house.