Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 766
JESSE J. OWEN

This is distinctly the age of electricity, and if there is any one occupation where technical skill is required it is in the electrical trade. Courses in electrical engineering are given by technical schools all over the country, and a graduate from a reputable college has no difficulty in securing a position. In fact, there is a larger demand for skilled electricians than can be filled. A college-trained man and a practical electrician of Missouri Valley, Iowa, is Jesse J. OWEN, a graduate of the engineering course of the University of Nebraska and a resident of Missouri Valley since 1910.

Jesse J. OWEN, the son of F. C. and Sarah (MITCHELL) OWEN, was born in Sanders county, Nebraska, October 14, 1884. His father was born in Ohio, and is now a prosperous farmer of Memphis, Nebraska. Six children were born to F. C. OWEN and wife, four of whom are still living.

Jesse J. OWEN received his elementary education in the schools of Memphis, Nebraska, and was graduated from the high school of Ashland, in the same state. He then became a student at the University of Nebraska and was graduated in the electrical engineering course in the spring of 1908. He at once took up electrical engineering work with the Lincoln Electric Light and Gas Company, at Lincoln, Nebraska, and remained with that corporation for about one year. He then became assistant engineer of the city of Wahoo, Nebraska, and retained this position for eight months. His next employment was at Omaha, where he was city foreman of the Johnson Electric Company. In March, 1910, Mr. OWEN went to Missouri Valley and engaged in the electrical business as a member of the firm of OWEN & SCHMID, a partnership which existed for two years. Mr. OWEN then bought out his partner's interest and has since been engaged in the business alone. He handles all kinds of electrical fixtures and supplies and does electrical contracting and installation throughout Nebraska and Iowa. For the past year he has been acting for the city of Missouri Valley as city electrician and filling the position in a most satisfactory manner

Mr. OWEN was married in June, 1908, to Blanche WATKINS, of Lincoln, Nebraska, a daughter of Joseph WATKINS, a citizen of Neola, Iowa.

Mr. OWEN is a member of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the Iowa Electrical Contractors' Association. He is interested in the civic life of the city and is an active and enthusiastic member of the Commercial Club. Politically, he is a Democrat, but so far has not taken an active part in the councils of his party. Mr. OWEN is a young man of recognized ability in his chosen profession, and the success which has attended his efforts thus far indicates that he has a long and prosperous career before him.

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