Biographical Sketch of Silas R. Owen, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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Silas R. Owen, superintendent of the St. Joseph and Lake Railway, was
born in Montgomery County, Indiana, June 9, 1843.  In 1850, his father
moved his family to Page County, Iowa.  Silas learned the cabinet
trade with his father, during which time he would work more at some
new machinery or some invention than at his trade, very much to the
annoyance of his father.  He finally learned the photograph business,
and invented the Globe Camera; a previous claim, however, caused the
rejection of his application for a patent.  He followed the photo-
graph business for six years, removing in the meantime to Stewarts-
ville, Missouri, where he invented the self emptying sulky excavator
which is now in general use.  He came to St. Joseph in 1873 and be-
came connected with the Missouri Valley Novelty Works, where he made
several important inventions, among which is the Mahan & Owens dry
placer invention for separating gold and silver from the dirt by
a new process.  He has also completed a very simple and practical
device for putting run-off street cars back on the track.  One of
his last and perhaps most needed inventions is his fire ladder,
which can be raised to the top of a five story building by four men
in forty seconds.  Mr. Owen was appointed superintendent of the
above street car railway in 1879, finding the track, cars and every-
thing out of order.  By his good management and the application of
some of his many improvements he has made this one of the best lines
in the city.  He married Miss Mary Keidalbaugh, of Iowa, in 1863.
They have one child living, Eddie.

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