Walter D. and Arthur A. Owen, who
make up the firm of Owen Brothers, are the owners and proprietors of a large
estate in section 12, Bunker Hill township, Macoupin County, which is known
far and wide, as the Maple Dale Stock Farm. It consists of 120 acres which
is operated exclusively as a stock farm. Both brothers were born on a farm
near Redbud, Randolph County, Illinois, the former on August 5, 1858, and
the latter on January 29, 1863. They are sons of William and Amanda (Durfee)
Owen.
It is probable that the Owen family originated in Wales, and
its first settler in America located in Rhode Island. One branch removed to
Ohio, where Charles Owen, grandfather of the Owen Brothers, was born. He
came to Randolph County, Illinois, one of that brave vanguard of pioneers
who faced the hardest conditions in the earliest settlement of the southern
portion of this great State. When the magnificent city of St. Louis, which
has the eyes of the world centered upon her at present as a fit metropolis
in which to hold a world's exposition, had but two dwellings, William Owen
was a trader there, reaching that frontier post in his ox-team conveyance.
He grew to manhood accustomed to his Indian neighbors with whom he appears
to have been on friendly terms. The life of Charles Owen, the father of
William, was mainly devoted to trapping and hunting. His six children were:
William, James, Harrison, Robert, Augustus and Mrs. Harriet Harlow.
William Owen, father of Arthur A. and Walter D. Owen, was born in Randolph
County, Illinois, December 14, 1819, and died at the Maple Dale Stock Farm,
June 6, 1903, aged 83 years. He came ro Macoupin County in 1865 and engaged
in farming, prior to that time having followed the trade of plasterer in
addition to farming. He was a Democrat in his political belief. During the
Civil War he was a supporter of the administration, and sent a substitute to
represent him in the army, his family of small children preventing his
going. In his early years he was an active worker in the Baptist Church, of
which he was a member until the close of his life. He was much respected and
was noted for his quiet, peaceful disposition. On February 14, 1849, he
married Amanda Durfee, who was born October 22, 1822, in Rhode Island, and
was a daughter of Aaron and Ruth (Cook) Durfee, of Fall River,
Massachusetts. The eight children of this marriage were: Ellen Amelia, born
at Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois, who resides at the present home of the
subjects of this sketch; George H., who is a contractor and builder' at
Clondcroft, New Mexico; Mrs. Hattie May Bainum, who resides at Olney,
Illinois; Walter D., unmarried, who is one of the firm of Owen Brothers;
Arthur A., a member of the firm of Owen Brothers; Annabelle R., who resides
at Bunker Hill; Herbert, who died at the age of 16 years; and Ada, who lives
at home.
Walter D. and Arthur A. Owen moved to the Maple Dale Stock
Farm on June 7, 1865, and both have resided here ever since. They raise only
high grade stock, either registered or eligible to register, making
specialties of Shropshire sheep, and Poland-China hogs, keeping some 80 of
the former and 50 of the latter. Their annual fall sales are looked for
events and are largely attended. They have done much to raise the standard
of stock in their vicinity.
Arthur A. Owen married Anna M. Milne,
who was born in London, England, and is a daughter of Alexander and Emma
Milne, natives of Scotland and England, respectively. Two sons have been
born to this union, William and Eugene. Mr. Owen has held a number of the
local offices. He is a Republican, while his brother, Walter D., is a
Democrat.
Extracted 2018 May 06 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 127-129.
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