FRANK L. OWEN

Frank L. Owen, one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of Center township residing on section 14, belongs to a well known and honored family that has long been identified with the agricultural interests of this community. He was born on his present farm, August 12, 1876, a son of Josiah and Mary Jane (Welty) Owen, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume. His father, who was born April 16, 1837, died on the 24th of December, 1908, but his mother is still living and now makes her home in Tipton. In their family were the following children: May, the wife of F. W. Reeve of Peabody, Kansas; Ada Florence, the wife of C. E. Chapman of Tipton, Iowa; Frank L., of this review; Alice, at home with her mother; Fred W., a farmer of Center township; and Ralph E., at home.

With the exception of four years Frank L. Owen has spent his entire life upon the farm where he now resides, three years of that time living in Kansas and one year in Oklahoma. He attended the public schools and under the able guidance of his father early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, so that on starting out in life for himself he was well qualified to engage in his chosen profession. For three years he engaged in farming upon rented land but now owns and operates two hundred and forty acres of the original homestead, comprising three hundred and forty-six acres. He follows general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs for the market.

Mr. Owen was married in 1898, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah E. Downing, who was born in Fairfield township, July 5, 1873, and is a daughter of George W. Downing, now of Iowa township, this county. Three children blessed this union, namely: Genevieve Florence, Edwin Harry and Raymond Paul. Mr. Owen is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the county which they have always claimed as home.