Osterwald studied at the Gymnasium in
Salzwedel and the
Franckesche Stiftungen in
Halle an der Saale. He studied
philology at the
University of Halle and was later active as a teacher at the Königlichen Pädigogium in Halle and at the Domgymnasium in
Merseburg. In 1865 he became headmaster of the Gymnasium in Mühlhausen. During his period in Mühlhausen, he published many pedagogical writings and poems. Around 70 of his nature, travel, and love poems were set to music by composer
Robert Franz. In 1889, his former student
Richard von Hertwig pressed for the erection of a monument in his memory in the Mühlhäuser Stadtwald. Osterwald, together with the cathedral organist Engel in Merseburg, prepared an edition of the
Geistlichen Lieder of
Johann Franck, providing new texts. Osterwald also wrote his own church songs. The Evangelical Lutheran hymnal of the early 20th century features his works including
O du mein Trost und süßes Hoffen for Advent and
Heilge Nacht, ich grüße dich for Christmas. Osterward received the
House Order of Hohenzollern. == Works ==