John Owens Biography


	This biography appears on pages 904-905 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JOHN OWENS. - -Among the citizens of foreign birth now living in 
Yankton county, South Dakota, is numbered John Owens, who was born in 
North Wales in the year 1839, his parents being Thomas and Ellen 
(Rowlands) Owens. In their family were seven children, five of whom are 
deceased, the living being the subject and his sister, Ellen, who yet 
resides in Wales. Edward Owens, who came to this country with his 
brother John, died in Minnesota about seven years ago, leaving a widow 
and eight children.  

	The subject of this review pursued his education in the schools 
of his native country, but early he put aside his text-books because of 
the financial condition of the family, it being necessary that he earn 
his own livelihood and also educated in the public schools and is now 
assisting in the support of his brothers and sisters. Realizing that 
the business possibilities of the new  world were greater than those 
afforded in Great Britain, he left home when twenty years of age and 
sailed across the broad Atlantic. Making his way to Chicago, he spent 
two years in that state, working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 
He next went to Minnesota, where his brother Edward resided, and there 
he made his home for several years, removing subsequently to Iowa, 
where he spent about five years, being employed on a farm in the latter 
state. The year 1884 witnessed his arrival in Decatur and his home was 
established in Yankton county.  

	In September of the same year Mr. Owens was united in marriage to 
Miss Henrietta Kuhler, of Clay county, South Dakota, and a daughter of 
John William and Mary Catherine (Funke) Kuhler. They were natives of 
Germany and were married ere leaving the fatherland. Mr. Kuhler was a 
miller by trade and always followed that pursuit while in his native 
country. In the year 1849 he came with his family to the United States, 
settling in Iowa, where he secured a tract of land of one hundred and 
sixty acres. It is located in a pioneer district and he paid for it two 
thousand dollars. With characteristic energy he began its further 
development and improvement and continued to make it his home until his 
removal to Clay county, South Dakota. There he lived with his son 
August, for two years, when he and his wife came to live with Mrs. 
Owens. His death occurred about eighteen years ago. His widow is also 
deceased. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children: 
August Kuhler, a brother of Mrs. Owens, is now living in LeMar, Iowa, 
having retired from active business life; another brother, William, is 
a retired fanner of Missouri; while a sister, Rosella, is the wife of 
August Hoppe, of Nebraska; and Julia is the wife of Peter Christina, of 
Iowa.  

	The home of Mr. and Mrs. Owens has been blessed with but one 
child, William, who was assisting his father in the management of the 
home farm. He is an intelligent and industrious young man whose labors 
are of great benefit to his parents.  

	A short time after his marriage Mr. Owens purchased two hundred 
and sixty acres of land, and since then purchased eighty acres more, 
which he has since engaged in cultivating and he now has a valuable 
property. About one-half of his land has been transformed into rich 
fields, planted to the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, 
and he is also extensively engaged in the raising of stock. He is a man 
of resolute purpose and strong will and carries forward to successful 
completion whatever he undertakes, brooking no obstacles that can be 
overcome by earnest labor and perseverance. He and his family are 
devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, contributing 
generously to its support and doing everything in their power for its 
growth and upbuilding. He is, indeed, a very highly respected citizen, 
enjoying in unusual degree the trust and good will of his fellow men 
and his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. His 
word has always been as good as any bond solemnized by signature or 
seal and whatever Mr. Owens says can be depended upon.