The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-03-31
ONE OF PIONEERS OF ,JUDSON;
LIVED IN LAKE CRYSTAL. ,~
His Death Followed a Long Illness;
a Substantial Citizen; Uncle Of
Mrs. |. N. Griffith.

From Tuesdays Daily.
Owen r. Owens. one of the pio-
neers Of Judson, and Of late years
q resident OF Lake Crystal, died last
night after an illness covering a
period OF. several months. His death
was due to jaundice.
For more than forty years Mr..
Owens made his home upon the same
farm, and during that long period
he witnessed many changes in Blue
Earth county, endured many vicissi-
tudes, overcame many obstacles and
surmounted many difficulties.
Came Here in 1868.
It was during the the spring Of
1863 that he arrived in Minnesota
and shortly afterward he took up
claim from the government compris-
ing one hundred and sixty acres.
From that time until he retired to
the village of Lake Crystal in 1904,
he gave his attention to the clearing
of the land and the improvement of
valuable farm. The early years
were times Of suffering and selfsac-
rifice. Misfortune often befell the
hardy pioneers. Perhaps the great
est of their troubles occurred at the
time of the grasshOpper plague,
when fields Of waving grain were
left in desperate straits. Many suf-
fered for needed food and clothing,
and more than one cabin home bore
the mark Of restitution before ain
other crop could be raised.
Trips to the Mills.
Frequently Mr. Owens walked to
the Mankato mill with team Of
oxen and the trip of twelve miles
was rendered unusually wearisome
by reason Of WORKOUT shoes. Some
times, too, he went twenty-four
miles for a, load of lumber After
his crops were ruined by the grass
hoppers he was compelled to go
elsewhere in order TO secure a start
for another year In spite of such
viCisstitudes, the pioneers never
abandoned hope, but continued 10 be
patient, cheerful and optimistic, al
ways believing thai prosperity in due
time would reward their exertions.
Native Of New York
owen r. Owens was born in Onei-
ia county, New York, January 5,
1893, being a son Of Richard and
Ellen Owens, the latter OF whom
died at the old homestead when her
son was boy Of ten years. The
former attained cid age and passed
away in 1879, in Oneida county The
common schools Of that county af-
iCrded MIR. owens fair advantages
considering the time, and he always
has been Il reader and close observ
err, SO that now he ranks among the
well-informed men Of his town. Ag-
ricuituge has been his life occupa-
it's details The character of the
sell Of Blue Earth county, the adapt
ability of the land to certain crops,
the possibility of success along GER
tain lines of diversified farming,
and the intricacieS Of the stock in
dustry, all these problems have be-
come familiar to him through long
and varied experience. While labor
ing to develop his farm, he neglect
ed NO duty falling upon public spir-
tied citizens. In politics he always
has voted with the republican party
and advocated its principles, and up
On his ticket he was elected to the
office of county supervisor, which he
filed with recognized efficiency and
faithfulness In religion he is of the
Welsh Calvinistic faith.
sfarried in 1856.
Upon coming to the northwest
Mr. Owens was married, he having
been united, December 9, 1856, with
Miss Margaret Meridh, a native of
Oneida county, New York, and like
himself a descendant of Welsh an
cestry. Three sons and five daugh-
tiers are now living; Margaret is
the wife of Richard Jones and Imo-
gene married Robert Hughes; both
daughters reside upon farms in Blue
Earth county and share with their
parents the esteem of acquaintance
and = standing in the best society.
Mr.. Owens was an uncle Of Mrs. |.
N. Griffiths Of this city.
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