Biographical Sketch of

Roswell Owen

Transcribed by Sandy Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 519 - 520 


Roswell Owen, a pioneer settler of Waushara County, who is now engaged in farming on section 26 in the town of 
Plainfield, was born in the town of Homer, in Cortland County, N. Y., Nov. 21, 1820, and is a son of Nathan and 
Eleanor (Canfield) Owen, the father a native of the Empire State, the mother of Massachusetts.  By occupation, 
Nathan Owen was an oil manufacturer, and followed that business in New York until his death, which occurred about 
the year 1884.  His widow afterward came to Wisconsin, and died in Walworth County in 1867.  Their family numbered 
twelve children, five of whom are living--Lavina, Susan, Sam, Irvin D. and Roswell.
 
Our subject is the eldest of the number.  Spending his boyhood days in his native State, he acquired a limited 
education in the district schools of the neighborhood, after which he served a four years' apprenticeship to the 
harness-maker's trade in Homer, Cortland County.  When his term had expired he went to Manilius, Onondaga County, 
where he worked for a year and then became a resident of Madison County, where he followed harness-making for three 
years.  Returning to Onondaga County he settled in Fabius, where he embarked in business for himself as a harness-
maker, continuing in that line until 1845.  The new and growing West offered opportunities to young men not furnished 
by the older State of the East, so with the hope of bettering his financial condition, Mr. Owen, in the year above 
mentioned emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin, settling in Walworth County.  Purchasing land he hired a man to 
operate his farm while he devoted his attention to his trade, which he followed for four years, when he began the 
cultivation of his land, residing upon his farm for ten years.  Selling out he came to Waushara County in July, 1855, 
and entered 160 acres of land, constituting his present time farm, upon which he has made his home for more than a 
third of a century.  The land was unbroken and no improvements had been made, but possessing vigor, energy and 
perseverance, he has succeeded in placing the entire amount under a high state of cultivation, and is now the owner 
of one of the best farms in the town of Plainfield.
 
Before his emigration to the West, Mr. Owen was married, Aug. 24, 1842, to Miss Harriet M. Draper, and unto them were 
born nine children, but only four are now living--Mary, Fred, Roswell and Adelaide.  The death of the mother of this 
family occurred on the 2nd of June, 1887, and Mr. Owen was again united in marriage, Sept. 30, 1888, when Charlotte 
Tuller became his wife.
 
For the long period of thirty-four years Mr. Owen has been a resident of Waushara County, and the prominent part which 
he has taken in its upbuilding and advancement ranks him among its valued citizens.  Although he was in limited 
circumstances at the time of his emigration to the West, he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of the 
community, having by his own efforts acquired the possessions which rank him among the well-to-do farmers of Waushara 
County.  He owns 670 acres of fine land, raises a good grade of stock and keeps everything about his place so neat and 
orderly that a single glance indicates to the passer-by the thrift and industry of the owner.  As a citizen he is public 
spirited and progressive, and during the late war gave evidence of his loyalty by responding to the country's call for 
troops.  He enlisted in Company I, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, in September, 1864, and served until the close of the 
war, when he was honorably discharged at Milwaukee in July, 1865.  He supports the Republican party by his ballot and 
influence, and has held a number of public offices, including that of Side-Supervisor, School Clerk and Justice of the 
Peace, which office he held for ten years.  He is a member of Hancock Post, No. 150 G. A. R., of Hancock, and also is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

 




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