Thomas Mott Osborne graduated from Harvard in 1884. He had a brilliant career at Harvard – in everything except his classes and studies. He made his mark in theatrics, music, and his social life. Fortunately, he had a gifted memory and that got him through his classes (Chamberlain, 1935).
Upon leaving Harvard, he returned to Auburn and took a position in his father’s farm machinery business, the D.M. Osborne company. Within two years he had worked in a variety of jobs in the company, moving up the ladder of the company to a vice-president position. Then, his father died unexpectedly and suddenly in 1886 and Thomas Osborne just as suddenly became president of a thriving company that within a few years grew to become North America's third largest
Upon leaving Harvard, he returned to Auburn and took a position in his father’s farm machinery business, the D.M. Osborne company. Within two years he had worked in a variety of jobs in the company, moving up the ladder of the company to a vice-president position. Then, his father died unexpectedly and suddenly in 1886 and Thomas Osborne just as suddenly became president of a thriving company that within a few years grew to become North America's third largest