Ben Owen

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4 July 2006

OWEN FAMILY Soundex 0500

BENJAMIN OWEN the younger
Researcher: Swift Water Hahn swiftwater@lenapedelawarehistory.net

Is there anyone else out there who can contribute to the research on this family?

Needs editing.

Benjamin "Ben" Owen

CHRONOLOGY:
1812 18 January -- Benjamin was born in Jefferson County, New York,or possibly Massachusetts
1820 -- Benjamin is with his father, Palmer, in the Jefferson Township, Schoharie County, New York Census
1830 -- Benjamin is in Broome County, New York (census)
1833 20 November -- Benjamin married Sarah Ann Hulce
1840 -- Not located in the census.
1850 -- Benjamin is in Sanford, Broome County, New York (census)
1855 -- Benjamin is in Sanford, Broome County, New York (census).
1860 -- Benjamin is in Town of Sanford, Broome County, New York (census)
1865 -- Benjamin is in Town of Sanford, Broome County, New York (census)
1866 -- Benjamin's property is shown on a Map of Sanford, New York
1870 -- Benjamin is in Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa (census)
1880 -- Benjamin is in Butler Township, Butler County, Iowa with his daughter, Francis, and her spouse John Howe (census)
1885 -- Benjamin is in Boone County, Garden Township, Iowa with his daughter, Jennie, and her spouse, Jay Myers (census)
1900 -- Benjamin is in Madrid, Garden Township, Boone County, Iowa, with his daughter, Jennie, and her spouse, Jay Myers (census)
1902 11 August -- Benjamin's spouse, Sarah, died in Garden Township, Boone County, Iowa
1902 18 December -- Benjamin died at Madrid, Boone County, Garden Township, Iowa and was buried in the Douglas Township, Fairview Cemetery

Benjamin "Ben" D. Owen was born on 18 January 1812. (1900 Census and grave marker data) We know little of his early life other than what we find in the census's. In 1820, Benjamin at age 8, was with his family, in Jefferson Township, Schoharie County, New York. (1820 Census) In 1830, at age 18, Benjamin was in Broome County, New York with his family. We do not know why and when the family moved from Schoharie County to Broome County. By 1842, his father, Palmer Owen, was a Methodist minister, but we do not know how much earlier he became a minister and if this was his only profession. It is possible that Palmer was engaged in farming as well as preaching at this time. In any event, Sanford was a very small place, a rural community, and Benjamin probably lived a typical boyhood in that kind of setting. Nothing further is known of his childhood from 1812 until 1830. On 20 November 1833, at age 21, Benjamin married 21-year-old Sarah Ann Hulce, the daughter of Samuel H. Hulce and Sarah "Sally" Plummer. It is not known where Benjamin and Sarah married, but is was probably someplace in Broome County. In 1826 and 1850 there are land records for her father at Tompkins In Broome County. Sarah was born on 31 July 1814 at Deposit, Broome County, New York.

It is not certain where Benjamin and Sarah Owen were in 1840 as they have not been found in the census, but in 1842, their son, Orson Anderson Owen, was born at Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio. There was a Benjamin Owen enumerated in the 1840 Census), but that Benjamin, age 15-20 and a female, age 15-20, presumably his spouse, were too young. That is, they should have been about ages 28 and 26 respectively. (US Index Ohio, Lake County, Concord) There is a deed where Palmer Owen sold land to Benjamin Owen. [We need to obtain the data from this deed. Editor] In 1850, Benjamin, Sarah, and their children Catherine Owen and Orson Owen were at Sanford, Broome County, New York. [Sanford was spelled Sandford earlier] In the 1855 Census for Sanford, Broome County, New York, Benjamin Owen was age 44, Sarah Owen age 39 [1814], Kate Hulce Owen, age 18, and Arson [Orson] age 13. In 1860, the Benjamin Owen Family was presumably living on a farm at or near Sanford as he was enumerated at age 49 in the 1860 Census for Sanford, Broome County, New York as a farmer. With him was his wife, Sarah Owen, age 45, and his children Catherine Owens age 20, Orson Owens age 18, and Francis Owens age 12. The children had all attended school that year. Benjamin had real estate valued at $500. In the 1865 New York, Broome County, Sanford, :
Owen, Benjamin T., 53, was born in Delaware County
Sary A. Owens, age 48, was born in Delaware County, had 4 children
*Arson A., age 22, was born in Ohio
Francis M. Owens, 17, was born in Broome County
Florence E. Owens, 5, was born in Broome County
The census record indicated that Benjamin and Sarah had four children and that Orson served three years in the 1t New York as a private, enlisting 29 January 1861 and being discharged in good health with no wounds.The Sanford [Broome County], New York Map of 1866 shows a B. D. Owen residence a couple of miles northeast of Gulf Summit -- a short distance east of the New York and Erie Railway -- in what appears to be Randolph Township. Mary Cable of the Deposit, Broome County, New York says that they were in the 1865 Census for Broome County, but I do not have that census.

Benjamin Owen and his family moved to to Waverly, Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa as that is where they were enumerated in the 1870 Census. Also in the 1870 Census in Iowa were Benjamin and Sarah's son, Orson Anderson Owen and his wife, Addaline (Curtis) Owen (Waverly); their daughter, Catherine (Owen) Benjamin and her husband, Abraham Benjamin (Butler Township, Butler County, Iowa); their daughter, Francis "Franny" (Owen) Moon and her husband, Harmon Moon and his brother, John Wesley Moon (Waverly); Benjamin's sister, Sallie E. (Owen) Pinney and her husband, John Pinney (Waverly); Benjamin's brother, James Reuben Owen and his wife, Ruth Hyde (Waverly); Benjamin's sister, Clarissa C. (Owen) Graves and her husband, James Henry Graves (Pleasant Grove Township, Floyd County, Iowa). There may have been members of the collateral families who also moved to Iowa of whom we are unaware at present. The other three children of Palmer Owen appear to have remained in Broome, County, New York, except for John Owen who is unaccounted for in the 1870 Census.

As with all migrations, we are interested in knowing why they left the place in which they lived? The Civil War Years were undoubtedly difficult years to migrate and probably many families had to postpone any plans they might have had until the war was over. In his Diary, Samuel August Maxwell, in commenting on Benjamin Owen, said, "All came west about 1866 and lived at Waverly [Bremer County], Iowa for a few years and then some of them removed to Central Iowa [Boone Co,] and Orson later to Kansas. (Cole Manuscript Collection, Samuel August Maxwell Diary, Minnesota Historical Society) It appears that their reason for leaving may have been a combination of several factors. 1. Both Orson Owen and James Reuben Owen (Palmer Owen's brother, Orson's uncle) James Reuben Owen returned to Broome County from the Civil War about 1867 and , Orson married immediately after his return in February. 2. Benjamin's father, Palmer Owen, died in 1864 and his mother, Sarah Owen, died in 1866. 3. The land that Palmer Owen had was probably not sufficiently extensive to provide sufficient land to his children. 4. And, probably most importantly, the availability of land and new opportunities in Iowa that attracted the Owen families to that state.

We do not know exactly when they left New York or if they all left at the same time. Orson was married on 26 February 1867, so he and Benjamin and his family probably left some time after that. Orson's daughter, Elizabeth Owen, was born about 1868 in Michigan, as she appears at age 2 in the 1870 Census as being age 2. It seems likely, then, that at least some members of the family would have been there about that time, perhaps only long enough for Elizabeth's birth. Maybe they were visiting a relative on the way West? It appears that they all went to Iowa at the same time. In 1869, Benjamin and Sarah, of Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa sold the New York land that had been previously sold to them by Benjamin's father, Palmer Owen. So, we know that they were in Iowa by that time. [I hope to have this deed and an earlier one available soon. Editor]

In the 1870 Census for Waverly, Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa, Benjamin was enumerated as a farmer as he had been previously in New York. He was age 53, had real estate valued at $4,800 and personal property at $400. It appears that he was doing well financially. His wife, Sarah, keeping house, was age 48. Their daughter Jenny was in school. Their son, Orson Owen, was on his own as a farmer at Waverly, with his wife Adaline (Curtis) Owen and their daughter, Francis "Franny" Catherine age 2. In the 1880 Census for Butler Township, Butler County, Iowa, their daughter, Catherine (Owen) Benjamin, was living in Butler County, Waverly area with her husband, Abraham Benjamin, of New York. Why Catherine and Abraham went to Butler County as opposed to Bremer County is not known. In the 1870 Census for Waverly, Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa, their daughter, Francis "Franny" (Owen) Moon, age 20, was married to Harmon Moon, age 34, from New York, and their children, Marion Owen age 2 and Harrison Moon age five 5 months, and John Wesley Moon, a brother of Harmon in the 1880 Census, were also in the Waverly area in 1870. As in the case of case, it appears that they married just shortly prior to leaving New York.

In the 1880 Census, we find Benjamin, age 67, as a farmer and Sarah, age 56, keeping house, in Butler Township, Butler County in the household of John Howe, age 47, born in Pennsylvania. It is not known whether or not there was any relationship between the Owen's and the Howe's. In the household was John D. Howe, John Howe's brother. Their daughter, Francis "Franny" M. (Owen) Moon and her spouse, Harmon Moon, their children Marion Moon age 2, and Harrison Moon, age 5 months were living in the next door house down. Also in the household was John Wesley Moon, Benjamin Moon's brother. (Census 1880), It appears that Benjamin and Sarah "sold out" their property in the Waverly area in Bremer County and moved to Butler Country to simplify their lives, as "senior citizens," and to be near one of their children. For some unknown reason, Benjamin , about age 74, Sarah, about age 69 [she should have been about age 71] by 1885, had moved to Garden Township, District 54, Boone County to live with their daughter, Jenny Myers age 28 and her husband, Jay Myers, a farmer, age 26, born in Pennsylvania. (1885 Census) Benjamin and Sarah had finally given up farming on their own and apparently needed a place to live and perhaps needed the support of their daughter Jenny and her husband. As usual with all families, we sorely miss the absence of 1890 Census records, and have to skip to 1900 where we find Benjamin age 88 and Sarah age 85 still with their daughter Jenny and family in Boone County, Garden Township, Iowa. In the census, Benjamin stated that he had not been farming for 12 years, that is, since about 1888.

We know nothing about the health of Benjamin and Sarah prior to their deaths. The Iowa Death Records 1880-1921 Boone County. (LDS FHL Film No. 1034317) do not have the pages covering Owen. Perhaps there is another copy somewhere. Boone County Vital Records Death 1897-1910 (Film No. 1034317 Item 1/1897-1920 1034317 Item 2) has not yet been researched. The Death Records from the Iowa Department of Public Health were sought, but the response was negative for Benjamin and Sarah. Sarah "Sary" Ann (Hulce) Owen died on 11 August 1901 in Garden Township, Boone County, Iowa and was buried in Lot 199, Grave 3 in the Fairview Cemetery in Douglas Township. (Fairview Cemetery Association Record & Map) Benjamin D. Owen died four months later, on 18 December 1902, in Garden Township, Boone County, Iowa at age 90 years and eleven days. His physician was Dr. Sturgeon and the undertaker A. M. Sundberg of Madrid, Iowa. He was buried in Lot 199, Grave 4 in the Fairview Cemetery in Douglas Township, Madrid, Boone County. (Fairview Cemetery Association Record & Map; his date of death is also on his grave marker) Thomas Hahn and his son, Chris Hahn, in June 2000 sighted the very fine grave markers that were in excellent condition. To reach the cemetery, take the road at the northwest side of Madrid, north two or three miles. From the south gate of the cemetery, go north just a bit on the cemetery road. The grave marker is a prominent one to the east, and two or three rows back from the road. The monument for their daughter, Jenny Myers and her husband, Jay Myers, is to the right of theirs. I think we found the cemetery record and map at the burial plots for the Fairview Cemetery in 1999 at the home of John Theisen at 795-3206 on 315th Rose Road.

CENSUS RECORDS:

Census 1820 US, New York, Schoharie County, Jefferson Township, p.121:
Line 6. Palmer Owens: Males 3 under 10, 1 (26-44). Females 1 under 10, 1 (26-44) *Benjamin Owen would be one of the males under 10. [Jefferson Township in on the county line with Harpersfield, Delaware County.]

1830 US, New York, Broome County, Sandford, p.396:
Line 15 Palmer Owens: Males 2 under 5, 1 (5-10), 1 (10-15), 2 (15-20), 1 (40-50). Females 1 (5-10), 1 (15-20), 1 (40-50) ( Benjamin Owen would have been one of the males ages 15-20.

1835 New York, Broome County, Sandford, p. 3: Palmer Owens with 5 males, 3 females, 1 able to vote. Benjamin Owen would have been one of the males.

Census 1840 US Index Ohio, Lake County, Concord (LDS FHL 977.1/X220/X22w/1840 vol. 3): Benjamin Owen.
Census 1840 US Ohio, Lake County, Concord recorded 11 September 1840 (LDS FHL Film 04446 94 3rd screen down 7th from bottom) a Benjamin Owen, 1 male 15-20, 1 female under 5, 1 female 15-20, 2 in agriculture. The ages are too young.
Census 1840 New York: No Benjamin Owen found.

Census 1850 New York, Broome County, Sandford: MyFamily.com/Ancestry.com Online Images, enumerated 19 August, p.182 (363), Line 99, Dwelling 199, Family 201, Benjamin Owen, age 38, farmer, value of real estate $300, was born in New York
Line 100. Sarah Owen, age 39, was born in New York
Line 101. Catherine Owen, age 13, was born in New York, attended school
*Line 1 [p.363]. Orson Owen, age 8, was born in Ohio, attended school
Line 2. Florence Owen age 2, was born in New York. [It appears that she died young as she does not appear in the 1855 census. However, "Franny" Owen is at age 5, the age that Florence should have been. I think "Franny" is the nickname for Florence. Editor]

Census 1855 New York, Broome County: Benjamin Owen, age 44, born Jefferson County, New York; Sarah Owen, age 39, his wife; Kate Owen, age 18; *Orson Owen, age 13; Francis Owen, age 7.

Census 1860 US, New York, Broome County, Sandford. MyFamily.com/Ancestry.com Online Images, p. 205 (879), line 23, Dwelling 1760 Family 1760.
Benjamin Owens, age 49, farmer. real estate worth $500, was born New York
Line 23. Sarah Owens, age 45, was born New York
Line 24. Catherine Owens, age 20, was born New York, attended school
Line 25. Orson Owens, age 18, laborer, was born in New York, attended school.
Line 26. Francis Owens. age 12, was born in New York, attended school
I have an Ancestry.com summary sheet that says that Benjamin was born in Pennsylvania. Check census image.

1865 New York, Broome County, Sanford:
Owen, Benjamin T., 53, was born in Delaware County
Sary A. Owens, age 48, was born in Delaware County, had 4 children
*Arson A., age 22, was born in Ohio
Francis M. Owens, 17, was born in Broome County
Florence E. Owens, 5, was born in Broome County
The census record indicated that Benjamin and Sarah had four children and that Orson served three years in the 1t New York as a private, enlisting 29 January 1861 and being discharged in good health with no wounds.

Census 1867 Iowa, Bremer County (LDS Film 1000025 item 2). Is there an index to this census? Need to research.

Census 1870 US Iowa, Bremer County, Washington Township, Waverly Post Office, National Archives Microfilm Series M593, Roll 378, p.327, enumerated 11 July.
Line 38, Dwelling 53 Family 52, Benj. Owen [1814], age 56, a farmer, real estate worth $4,800, personal property worth $400, as born in New York
Line 39. Sarah Owen [1816], age 44, keeping house, was born in New York
Line 40. Jenny Owen, age 9 [1861], at home was born in New York, attended school

Census 1880 US Iowa, Butler County, Butler Township. LDS Family Search 2001, FHL Film 1254330, National Archives Film T9-0330, p. 137D: John Howe, Self, age 47 [born about 1832], farming, was birthplace Pennsylvania, birthplace father and mother Pennsylvania
Benjamin Owens, other, age 67 [born about 1813], farming, birthplace New York, birthplace father and mother New York.
Sarah Owens, other, age 64 (born about 1816], keeping house, birthplace New York, birthplace father and mother New York.
John D. Howe, other [a brother in the 1870 census], age 24 [born about 1856], single, farming, birthplace Ohio, birthplace father Pennsylvania, mother Ohio. Harmon Moon, the spouse of their daughter, Francis M. Owen, is the next door down.

Census 1885 Iowa, Boone County. LDS Family History Library Film No. 1021443/1021444. Dwelling 47, Family 47 for Jay Myers, Township 82SE of NE of Section 19:
Jay Myers, a age 26, a farmer,
Jennie Myers, at age 28, housekeeping, was born in New York
Eugene Myers
Benjamin Owen, at age74 [born about 1806]
Sarah Owen, at age 69 [born about 1811]. She should have been about 71. LDS Film #1020333 is also mentioned. Is this relevant? The next entry is for Aaron Myers. age 35, a farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, and Martha Myers, keeping house, was born in Pennsylvania.

Census 1895 Iowa, Boone County. LDS FHL Film No. 1020332, p. 144. Jay Myers Soundex M620 [son-in-law, No. 23 [?] spouse of Jenny Owen], head of household, was born in August 1858, in Iowa, a farmer, no dwelling listed.
No. 25 Benjamin D. Owen, age 83, was born in New York, a farmer, religion M. E. [Methodist Episcopal]
No. 26 Sarah A. Owen, age 80, was born in New York.

Soundex 1900 Iowa, Boone County, Garden Township, Census: 1900 US, Iowa, Boone County, Garden Township enumerated on 6 June 1900, LDS FHL Film No. 1020332, p. 144, line 66, sheet 4, line 66, vol. 6, E. D 1:
Jay Myers, Head, farmer, born Aug. 1858, IA, age 41, father of two children, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Pennsylvania, Owned farm, Farm No. 28
Jennie F. [or T], Spouse, was born September 1860, NY, age 39, married 20 years, mother of two children born [?], Father born Mass, Mother born NY
Estelle W., Daughter, was born Sep 1882 ,age 14, Father born PA, Mother born New York
Eugene W., Son, was born March 1884 ,age 16, IA, Farm Laborer
Benjamin D. Owen, Father-in-Law, 6 Jan. 1812, age 88, married 67 years, born NY, Father born New York, mother born New York , no occupation for 12 years [since 1888]
Sarah A., Mother-in-law, age 85, born July 1814 NY, Father born NY, Mother born NY, mother of five children, four living

Census 1900 Iowa, Boone County, Washington Township, enumerated 5 June, Supervisory District 10, Enumeration District 14, sheet 4, line 66. LDS Film No. 1243834. Line 62, Dwelling 70 Family 72. With the family of Jay Myers, Benjamin's his son-in-law, and his daughter Jennie.
Line 66 Benjamin D. Owen, was born in January 1812, at age 88, had been married 67 years, was born in New York, father born in New York, mother born, New York, could read and write
Line 67 Sarah Owen. was born in July 1814,at age 85, was a mother of five children, four living, was born in New York and parents were born in New York, parents were born in New York, could read and write

The children of Benjamin Owen and Sarah Hulce are:

1. Catherine "Kate" Owen was born about 1836-1837 in New York.

Census: 1840 New York. Not found as her parents were not found in this census.

Census: 1850 New York, Broome County, Sandford: Dwelling 199, Family 201, Line 101. Catherine Owen, age 13, was born in New York, attended school. (MyFamily.com/Ancestry.com Online Images, enumerated 19 August, p.182 [363] )

Census: 1860 Sanford Township, Broome County, New York: Abraham Benjamin age 30, a farmer, was born in New York; wife Catherine age 24 was born in New York; son Edgar age 2 was born in New York.

Census: 1870 Butler Township, Butler County, Iowa: Abraham H. Benjamin age 43 was born in New York; wife Kate age 34 was born in New York; son Edgar age 12 was born in New York. John Howe age 38 was born in Pennsylvania. (Ancestry.com Online Images)

Census: 1880 Butler Township, Butler County, Iowas [I think]: Abraham H. BENJAMIN age 51, farming, was born in New York and father and mother born in New York. Catharine S. BENJAMIN age 44, keeping house, was born in New York and father and mother were born in New York.

2. Orson Anderson Owen was born in 1842 Born in Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio. He married Addaline "Addie" T. Curtis on 26 February 1867 at Deposit, Broome, County, New York. Orson died on 26 April 1908 in Parkerville, Morris County, Kansas and was buried in the Parkerville Cemetery. See an expanded entry for Orson Owen.

3. Francis "Franny" Owen was born about 1848 in Broome County, New York. She is probably the same person as Florence E. Owen enumerated in the 1850 Census. In the 1900 Census, Sarah Owen said that she had had five children and four had survived. In that event, who was the child who died prior to 1900? She married Harmon Moon, probably about in New York. We do not know yet when she or Harmon died. [Look in later censuses.]

Census 1870 for Waverly, Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa: Dwelling 12 Family 12.
Harmon D. Moon, 34 [born about 1836], Farmer, value of real estate 1800, personal property 625 born NY
Fanny M. Moon, 20 [born about 1850], born NY
Marian Moon, 2 [born about 1868], born IA
Harrison "Harry" Moon, 5/12 [born about 1870], born IA
John Wesley Moon, [a brother of Harmon in the 1880 census], 31 [born about 1840], born NY
(Ancestry.com, p. 324, Image 262)

Census: 1880 for Waverly, Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa. LDS FHL Film 1254329, NA Film Number T-9-0328, p. 386A.
Harmon Moon, Self, Married, 44 [born about 1836], Farmer, born NY, father born NY, mother born NY
Frances Moon, Wife, Married, 32 [born about 1848], born NY, father born NY, mother born NY
Marian Moon, Daughter, Single, 12 [born about 1868], born IA, Ay School, father born NY, mother NY
Harry Moon, Son, Single, 10 [born about 1870], born IA, At School, father born NY, mother born NY
John W. Moon, Brother, Single, born NY, Carpenter, father born NY, mother born NY
(Family History Library Film 1254328. NA Film Number T-9-0328, p. 228D)

Census 1900 has not been searched.

4. Jennie F Owen was born on 25 September 1860 in New York. Jenny married Jay Myers probably about 1878-1880 in Iowa. She and Jay lived on a farm. It is not known whether or not she and Jay Myers had children. [Perhaps check the 1900 census to see.] Jennie died on 14 April 1904 at Garden Township, Boone County, Iowa, about three years after her mother's death and about two years after her father's death. The cause of her death was heart disease. Taking care of her aging parents may not have been easy for her. She was buried on 17 April 1904 in the Fairview Cemetery, Madrid, Douglas Township, Boone County, north of Madrid, next to her parents. Jennie married Jay Myers. He was born on 5 August 1858 in Garden Township, Boone County. Jay died on 18 June 1934 at the I.O.O.F Home at Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. (According to Iowa Cemetery Records, p. 336, Jay Myers died 18 June 1935.)

Census: 1870 Waverly, Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa: Line 40. Jenny Owen, age 9 [1861], at home was born in New York, attended school

Census: 1880 District Four, Garden Township, Boon County, Iowa: Enumeration District 15, enumeration 16 June. Ancestry.com Online Image of 3 May 2001. Line 31. Dwelling 79 Family 80, Jay Myers, at age 21, a farmer; line 32, Jennie Myers, keeping house/at home, at age 19, born in New York and Parents born in New York. Two doors down, at Dwelling 80 Family 81 is Martha Myers, age 58 [Jay's mother?] and son, Aaron Myers, age 33, farmer. The family in between may be family as well, as there is a John Myers, age 5, a nephew. [LDS Film 1254328. NA Film Number T9-0328, p. 228D [Check this census]

Times New Roman 14 point. Revised 22 June 2005. hoto check A. Front Page Copy 6 August 2005. TH