Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....Owen, Harmon 1814 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 11, 2007, 12:30 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

HARMON OWEN is a retired farmer, making his home at the present time in Lapeer.
He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in Ancram Township, July 13, 1814. He is
a son of Joel and Betsey (Flint) Owen, the former a native of the same place as
is our subject, making that his home throughout his life. His decease occurred
when at the age of seventy-six years. He devoted himself to the agricultural
calling. Originally he was a Whig and was a strong Clay man, and was never known
to vote for but one Democrat. In his religious creed he was a Methodist.

  Charles Owen, our subject's paternal grandsire, was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War and was one of the boldest and most fearless men of that
desperate period. Although running many chances in the war he lived to a good
old age and his wife survived until ninety years old. Our subject's grandmother
Mint before her decease drew a pension as a widow of a Revolutionary soldier. He
of of whom we write was one of eleven children who was born to his parents. All
grew to manhood and womanhood with the exception of one, and six are still living.

  Mr. Owen was reared in his native place and received his education in
Massachusetts, across the line in Berkshire County. He remained with his father
until reaching his majority, giving his assistance on the farm. On starting out
in life for himself he had no resources whatever, but like many of our American
citizens, who have gained wealth and prestige, he had an abiding faith in his
own strength and ability that stood him in good stead. He first worked by the
month on a farm and received $14 or $15 per month during the summer. In 1837 he
married Betsey Silvernail, a native of New York. She was reared in the same
locality as was our subject. The young couple began life together on a farm
where they remained until 1852, when they came to Lapeer County, Mich., and
located on section 36, Mayfield Township. He first purchased eighty acres of
land that had a small house upon it. About twenty-five acres of this were
partially improved. He added to the place twenty-seven acres in Lapeer Township,
then eighty acres adjoining the first farm making in all one hundred and
eighty-seven acres. Upon it he had put up good barns and a commodious house. He
also improved the old farm and remained there until 1887, when he retired from
active business and located in Lapeer, where they have a fine residence.

  Mr. and Mrs. Owen are the parents of seven sons and three daughters—Joel,
Abram, Perry, Bradley, Lowen, Emery, Delia, Ida E., Eva and Harmon C. Perry was
killed at Cedar Creek on the day of Sheridan's ride; Bradley resides in
California; Lowen is a dentist, at Grand Rapids; Emery lives in Burlington,
Lapeer County; Delia is the wife of Chauncy Dean, who is a large fruit dealer in
California; Eva is the wife of Robert Harrison, of Lapeer City; Harmon resides
on the old homestead; Abram is a farmer of Attica Township, this county.

  Our subject is a Republican in politics, his first vote being cast for
Harrison in 1836 and again in 1840, and his last vote was cast for the
grandson. He was Town Treasurer of Mayfield and also Justice of the Peace. He
has also been Road Overseer and School Inspector and Trustee. He has never been
out of office since coming to Michigan. In religious preference our subject and
his wife belong to the Methodist Protestant Church of Lapeer, of which Mr. Owen
has been Trustee since the denomination was organized.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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