Clay County Biographies

EDWARD J. OWEN

~ farmer and stockman ~

Edward J. Owen, farmer and stockman, owner of a valuable farm of 152 acres in Sni-a-bar township, is a native of Illinois. He was born in McLean County, Nov. 11, 1858, and is a son of ALMA OWEN.

Mr. Owen purchased his present home place in 1903. It was formerly the CLEMONS place. He has done considerable improving since coming into possession of the farm, and has erected two large concrete silos. Edward J. Owen was 8 years of age when his parents came from Illinois to MO.

Three families formed the party. The other families were relatives of the Owens, named CLARK and BURNHAM. Five wagons carried the travelers and their belongings. Mr. Owen brought along ten head of cows. There were three boys in the party, and a free-for-all fight ensued each night as to which of the boys should ride the old mare owned by Mr. Owen to the nearest water.

After coming to Jackson county, Edward J. Owen attended the Owen school. He remained at home with his parents until 1883, and then located west of the Owen school house. He improved 60 acres and increased his holdings to 100 acres, and later moved to the farm where N. POWERS now lives.

He purchased his home farm in 1903. Edward J. Owen was married in 1883 to CASSANDRA JOHNSON, a daughter of HENRY & ELIZABETH (WARE) JOHNSON. She was born in Clay county, March 31, 1865. Her father, Henry Johnson, was a native of Virginia and came to Jackson county in the early 30's.

He served in the civil war with the confederate army, and after the war, settled down to farming. Now, at the advanced age of 76 years, he is making his home with his children.

Elizabeth, his wife, was born in 1837, and died in 1901. To Henry and Elizabeth (Ware) Johnson were born nine children: MRS. CASSANDRA OWEN, of this review; MRS. IRENE PAGE, Montana; MRS. NETTIE HARRIS, Olathe, KS; FRED, Belvidere, ILL; WILLIAM, Nebraska; MRS. BELLE HOGUE, Pink Hill, MO; JESSE, near Oakland Church; MRS. JOSIE THOMAS, Independence; THOMAS, Grain Valley.

The children born to Edward J. and Cassandra Owen are as follows:
MRS. STELLA RISKE, lives in Independence; RUSSELL, lives near Lake City, and married PEARL PERKINS, who has born his three children, KATE, BERNADINE & PAULINE; MRS. ALTA ZUMWALT, lives on the home place, has one child, REBA COVENE.

Mr. Owen is a Republican, and Mrs. Owen is a Democrat. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Owen is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman.

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This page was last updated June 7, 2005.