Advertisement
Advertisement

Owen Family History & Genealogy

37,443 biographies and 52 photos with the Owen last name. Discover the family history, nationality, origin and common names of Owen family members.

Owen Last Name History & Origin

Add

History

We don't have any information on the history of the Owen name. Have information to share?

Name Origin

We don't have any information on the origins of the Owen name. Have information to share?

Spellings & Pronunciations

We don't have any alternate spellings or pronunciation information on the Owen name. Have information to share?

Nationality & Ethnicity

We don't have any information on the nationality / ethnicity of the Owen name. Have information to share?

Famous People named Owen

Michael Owen - Former English Professional football player

Early Owens

These are the earliest records we have of the Owen family.

Described as a Tinker: A Tinker in Welsh: an itinerant tinsmith and mender of household utensils made of tin NOTE: Tudur Hen 1311 • Anglesey, North Wales a Welsh aristocrat and a member of the Tudor family of Penmynydd, Anglesey, North Wales. One of three sons. NOTES: Famous People Called Goronwy: Goronwy ap Tudur Hen – was a Welsh noble man and Lord of Penmynydd in Anglesea in North Wales. Goronwy Owen – was a Liberal politician for Caernarvonshire in the 1920-40s
Rev. Goronwy Owen
Goronwy Owen's Life 1733 • Llanfair Mathafarn Eithaf, Anglesey, Wales Mother had died. Father remarried. Goronwy left home and sought refuge with some friends in Carnarvonshire. Between 1733-1737, he entered Friars' School, Bangor, helped by Marged Morys and her sons. Death of mother Sian Jane (Parri) Parry - son was 19 when she died (1704–1733) 1733 • Llanfair Mathafarn Eithaf, Anglesey, Wales Birth of half-sister Jane Owen - mentioned on pg 35 at the link below as - 1/2 sister to Goronwy.(1734–) abt. 1734 • Wales Goronwy Owen's Life 1741 • Wales Goronwy left school and applied for the 'Dr. Lewis's Charity' to enable him to enter Jesus College, Oxford but his application failed and to support himself he was an usher in the Grammar School at Pwllheli, Gwynedd, north-western Wales. Goronwy Owen's Life 03 JUN 1742 • Wales Entered Jesus College, Oxford. Goronwy Owen's Life 1743 • Wales Was awarded the 'Dr. Lewis's Charity'. Goronwy Owen's Life 1745 • Wales Goronwy Owen took his B.A. and was ordained in the same year. The Curacy of his native parish of Llanfair fell vacant at this time and Goronwy accepted the position for 3 seeks, officiating in the Parish. Had his own father among his parishioners. Marriage 19 Aug 1747 • St Oswald, Oswestry, Shropshire, England 1746 was ordained deacon and appointed curate of Llanfair-mathafarn-eithaf / When compelled to leave he became a curate and schoolmaster at Oswestry for three years & married Elin. 1750 in Walton, near Liverpool. (1) Elin / Ellen Hughes - died at sea on the way to Virginia Birth of son Robert Owen - Scholars at the college grammar school in 1757- Kits: #84554, #19002, #40669, #101699(1749–1826) 01 JAN 1749 • Shropshire, England Birth of son Goronwy Owen - Scholars at the college grammar school in 1757.(1751–1758) 04 MAY 1751 • Shropshire, England Birth of daughter Ellen "Elin" Owen - died young at 17 months old.(1753–1755) DEC 1753 • Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire, England Death of daughter Ellen "Elin" Owen - died young at 17 months old.(1753–1755) APR 1755 • at Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire, England / Buried in the Walton Churchyard Death of wife (1) Elin / Ellen Hughes - died at sea on the way to Virginia(–1757) DEC 1757 • died at sea on the way to Virginia Death of child A Child that died at Sea Owen(–1757) DEC 1757 • died at sea on the way to Virginia Marriage 9 April 1758 • Williamsburg, Virginia, Colonial America Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History Society by Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (Great Britain) Page 228 sites they married 1759. She was a widow with 5 or 6 kids that Goronwy had to support. (2nd) Ann (Mrs. Clayton) Dawson - sister of the William and Mary College President in Williamsburg, Virginia (1705–1758) Death of wife (2nd) Ann (Mrs. Clayton) Dawson - sister of the William and Mary College President in Williamsburg, Virginia(1705–1758) 1758 Death of son Goronwy Owen - Scholars at the college grammar school in 1757.(1751–1758) 1758 • Died soon after his father's appointment from the William & Mary College in Virginia. Marriage 1763 • Brunswick County, Virginia, Colonial America Goronwy resigned from the college in 1760 applied for the living of S. Andrews, Brunswick County, Virginia, which he obtained a year later and remained for the rest of his life. 1761 he bought a tobacco and cotton plantation. 1763 married (3) Joan Simmons (3) Joan Iona "Jonah" Brown : Simmons, Owen, Harrison (1738–1787) Birth of son John Lloyd Owen -married and emigrated to North Carolina (Owen Group 11a Haplogroup R1b-FGC46807)(1765–1806) Abt. 1765 • Brunswick County, Virginia Death of brother Owen Goronwy or Owen(1725–1765) 11 APR 1765 • Owestry, Shropshire, England Birth of son Richard Brown Owen - Witnessed the Will of Beverley Brown in 1791(1767–1877) 1767 • Brunswick County, Virginia, Colonial America Death JUL 1769 • Brunswick County, Virginia, Colonial America
(3) Joan Iona "Jonah" Brown : m. 1st Simmons, m. 2nd Owen, m. 3rd Harrison BIRTH 1738 • Brunswick County, Virginia, Colonial America DEATH 1787 • Brunswick County, Virginia, USA She is the 3rd Wife of Rev. Goronwy Owen. Her surname is Brown but when Rev. Goronwy Owen married Joan she was a Simmons because of her 1st marriage. Rev. Goronwy Owen and Joan Brown had three sons: John Lloyd Owen, Richard Brown Owen and Gronow Owen. Richard and Gronow were both executors of Beverly Brown's Will in 1791. Beverly Brown is Joan's brother. Their parents are Richard Brown and Frances Sexton.
John Lloyd Owen
Death date is based on birth of last child born. All of his kids: Presley, Jonathan, Solomon and George are DNA Confirmed via descendants DNA Tests. May be more! He was married to (first name unknown) Rowlett born around 1761
Elizabeth (Owen) Blake was born on June 13, 1776 in Richmond County, Georgia United States, and died at age 56 years old on February 16, 1833 in Lexington, Fayette County, KY. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Elizabeth (Owen) Blake.
Elizabeth Owen was born in 1785 at Glocester, Providence, Rhode Island. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Elizabeth Owen.
Nelly Owen of Melbourne, St Francis Melbourne Parish County Australia was born in 1788, and died at age 56 years old in 1844 in Melbourne.
John Owen of Australia was born in 1796, and died at age 72 years old in 1868.
Jane Owen of Australia was born in 1797, and died at age 62 years old in 1859.
Vanessa (Owen) Brokenshire was born on November 20, 1799 in Cardiff, Wales United Kingdom, and died at age 81 years old on November 30, 1880 in London, England. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Vanessa (Owen) Brokenshire.
William Owen of Kew Australia was born in 1799, and died at age 88 years old in 1887 in Kew.
John Owen of Australia was born in 1800, and died at age 79 years old in 1879.

Owen Family Photos

Discover Owen family photos shared by the community. These photos contain people and places related to the Owen last name.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Owen Family Tree

Discover the most common names, oldest records and life expectancy of people with the last name Owen.

Most Common First Names

Updated Owen Biographies

Adam J Owen of Phelan, San Bernardino County, CA was born on September 15, 1968, and died at age 41 years old on October 4, 2009.
Lindsay Horace Owen, a man, was born on April 4th, 1914 in Maffra, Victoria, Australia, to Horace Own (1876 - 1943) and Laura Florence Lucas (1885 - 1948). Both of his parents were born in Prahran, Australia. He had four brothers: Ross, Colin, Ernest, and Mervan and two sisters, Thelma and Laura May Owen. Lindsay Owen married Grace Mary Perkins (1916 - 2008) on June 8th, 1935 in Belgrave, Victoria, Australia and they had three children: two daughters, one of whom was Lynette, born 1939, and one son, Ronald Lindsay Owen, born 1935. Lindsay had a second marriage to an unknown woman. He died in Rosebud, Australia at the age of 72 and is buried in Dromana Cemetery in Dromana, Shire of Mornington Peninsula, VIC Australia.
Flake L Owen of Cañon City, Fremont County, Colorado 81212, United States was born on October 12, 1963, and died at age 41 years old on September 5, 2005.
Melissa Carol (Owen) Pratorius of Texas was born on May 6, 1975, and died at age 35 years old on March 11, 2011.
Ray Murphy Owen was born on January 27, 1936 in Danville, Virginia United States, and died at age 79 years old on July 1, 2015 in Slidell, LA. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Ray Murphy Owen.
Doris Katherine (Owen) Morrison
Doris Katherine (Owen) Morrison was born on May 2, 1934 in Halifax, Virginia United States to Gladys (Murphy), and had siblings William Irvin Owen and Ray Murphy Owen. Doris Morrison died at age 81 years old on May 1, 2016 in Pensacola, FL. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Doris Katherine (Owen) Morrison .
William Irvin Owen
William Irvin Owen was born on February 11, 1930 in Virginia United States to Gladys (Murphy), and had siblings Doris Katherine (Owen) Morrison and Ray Murphy Owen. William Owen died at age 41 years old on August 12, 1971 in Danville. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember William Irvin Owen.
David Owen was born on September 1, 1938 in Reno, Washoe County, Nevada United States. He married Dorothy Jean and they later divorced in August 1984. They had a child Sheila Rickabaugh. He was the parent of Sheila Rickabaugh. David Owen died at age 50 years old on July 29, 1989 in Spanaway, Pierce County, WA. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember David Dale Owen.
Sheila Dianne (Owen) Rickabaugh of Spanaway, Washington United States was born on November 25, 1973 in Hayward, CA to David Dale Owen. She married Anthony Farrell on April 6, 1996 in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho and they later divorced on October 27, 1999. They had children Kayla (Farrell) and Heather (Farrell). She also married Jim Rickabaugh on August 30, 2015 in Orting, Pierce County, Washington. They had a child Dj Rickabaugh. Sheila's partner was Jason Lawrence and they later separated on January 6, 2013. They had a child Zoe (Lawrence).
Catherine (Anketell) Owen of Naracoorte, Naracoorte Lucindale Council County, SA Australia was born in 1869 in Hamilton, Southern Grampians Shire County, VIC, and died at age 40 years old on December 15, 1910 in Naracoorte, Naracoorte Lucindale Council County, SA.
Ada Jane (Biggs) Owen of Wirrimbirchip Australia was born in 1899 in Birchip, Buloke Shire County, VIC to James Biggs and Emma Sherwood Biggs. She had siblings Emily Biggs, Albert James Biggs, Amy May Biggs, Leslie Biggs, Hettie Carrie Biggs, Hazel Irene Biggs, Percy Biggs, Malrea Jean Biggs, Albert James Biggs, and Ernest William Biggs. Ada Owen died at age 84 years old on April 2, 1984 in Bonbeach, City of Kingston County.
Mary Ann Wilson (Owen) Cusack
Mary Ann Wilson Ann Wilson (Owen) Cusack of Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Mary Ann Wilson (Owen) Cusack.
Maria (Owen) Swarbrick of Sale, Wellington Shire County, VIC Australia was born in 1854 at Chorlton Cl, in Lancashire County, England United Kingdom, and died at age 86 years old on February 12, 1941 in Sale, Wellington Shire County, VIC Australia.
Ada (Owen) Manton of Toorak, City of Stonnington County, VIC Australia was born in 1870 in Melbourne, and died at age 79 years old on August 9, 1950 in Toorak.
Cecily is the daughter of William Braun and Julia (Pace) Braun. She had a brother Lawrence Braun. She married William Brooks Owen.
Cheryl Lee (Owen) Looney Ms. of 6611 Laura Ann Ct, in Richland Hills, Tarrant County, Texas United States was born on March 30, 1958 at Tampa Bay in FL. Cheryl was baptized in 1962. Cheryl Looney was married to James M. Looney on August 15, 1981 in Tarrant County, TX and they separated on July 13, 1994, and has a child Jeremy James Looney. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Cheryl Lee (Owen) Looney.
Greg Owen was born on December 31, 1955 at Long beach, ca to Lee Vance Owen and Bonnie June Lutz, and has siblings Tobi Lee Owen and Neila June Owen. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Greg Owen.
Tobi Lee Owen was born on June 21, 1957 at Long Beach, CA. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Tobi Lee Owen.
Neila June Owen was born on May 25, 1985 at Laguna Beach, ca. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Neila June Owen.
Lee Vance Owen of Phelan, San Bernardino County, California was born on March 11, 1928. He was in a relationship with Bonnie June Lutz, and had children Greg Owen, Tobi Lee Owen, and Neila June Owen. Lee Owen died at age 78 years old on November 3, 2006.

Popular Owen Biographies

Elizabeth Jane (Owen) Williams
Elizabeth Jane (Owen) Williams was born in September 1839. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Elizabeth Jane (Owen) Williams.
Martha Ann Sinyard Owen
Martha Ann Sinyard Owen was born in 1842. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Martha Ann Sinyard Owen.
Talmadge B Owen
Talmadge B Owen of Hobbs, Lea County, NM was born on November 6, 1916, and died at age 71 years old on May 1, 1988.
Lee Vance Owen of Phelan, San Bernardino County, California was born on March 11, 1928. He was in a relationship with Bonnie June Lutz, and had children Greg Owen, Tobi Lee Owen, and Neila June Owen. Lee Owen died at age 78 years old on November 3, 2006.
Lura Woodruff Owen
Lura Woodruff Owen of Baltimore, Fairfield County, OH was born on October 6, 1885, and died at age 88 years old in September 1974.
John Lloyd Owen
Death date is based on birth of last child born. All of his kids: Presley, Jonathan, Solomon and George are DNA Confirmed via descendants DNA Tests. May be more! He was married to (first name unknown) Rowlett born around 1761
Neila June Owen was born on May 25, 1985 at Laguna Beach, ca. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Neila June Owen.
Tobi Lee Owen was born on June 21, 1957 at Long Beach, CA. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Tobi Lee Owen.
Greg Owen was born on December 31, 1955 at Long beach, ca to Lee Vance Owen and Bonnie June Lutz, and has siblings Tobi Lee Owen and Neila June Owen. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Greg Owen.
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Gertrude Mann Owen.
Ada Jane (Biggs) Owen of Wirrimbirchip Australia was born in 1899 in Birchip, Buloke Shire County, VIC to James Biggs and Emma Sherwood Biggs. She had siblings Emily Biggs, Albert James Biggs, Amy May Biggs, Leslie Biggs, Hettie Carrie Biggs, Hazel Irene Biggs, Percy Biggs, Malrea Jean Biggs, Albert James Biggs, and Ernest William Biggs. Ada Owen died at age 84 years old on April 2, 1984 in Bonbeach, City of Kingston County.
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Ralph Owen.
Harriette Owen was born in 1831 in Milverton, England United Kingdom, and died at age 72 years old in 1903. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Harriette Owen.
Marcella Allie (Owen) Stockstill of Picayune, Pearl River County, MS was born on January 16, 1940, and died at age 62 years old on November 14, 2002 in Picayune. Marcella Stockstill was buried on November 15, 2002 at Unity Baptist Church, Picayune, MS 39466 HWY 43 NORTH, in PICAYUNE.
Owen of Carlton Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Evan Owen .
Elizabeth Owen of Carlton Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Elizabeth Owen.
Cecily is the daughter of William Braun and Julia (Pace) Braun. She had a brother Lawrence Braun. She married William Brooks Owen.
Described as a Tinker: A Tinker in Welsh: an itinerant tinsmith and mender of household utensils made of tin NOTE: Tudur Hen 1311 • Anglesey, North Wales a Welsh aristocrat and a member of the Tudor family of Penmynydd, Anglesey, North Wales. One of three sons. NOTES: Famous People Called Goronwy: Goronwy ap Tudur Hen – was a Welsh noble man and Lord of Penmynydd in Anglesea in North Wales. Goronwy Owen – was a Liberal politician for Caernarvonshire in the 1920-40s
Alecia Owen was born at Billings Montana. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Alecia Owen.
Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Evan Frederick Owen.

Owen Death Records & Life Expectancy

The average age of a Owen family member is 72.0 years old according to our database of 27,283 people with the last name Owen that have a birth and death date listed.

Life Expectancy

72.0 years

Oldest Owens

These are the longest-lived members of the Owen family on AncientFaces.

Mabel L Owen of Hartford, Hartford County, CT was born on October 3, 1901, and died at age 108 years old on April 30, 2010.
108 years
Maude Owen of Plainfield, Union County, NJ was born on June 24, 1877, and died at age 108 years old in August 1985.
108 years
Nannie B Owen of Morristown, Hamblen County, TN was born on December 25, 1894, and died at age 107 years old on January 18, 2002.
107 years
Nellie E Owen of Montclair, Essex County, NJ was born on March 16, 1893, and died at age 106 years old on January 17, 2000.
106 years
Llewellyn S Owen of East Orleans, Barnstable County, MA was born on March 6, 1891, and died at age 106 years old on February 12, 1998.
106 years
Ella S Owen of Sparta, White County, TN was born on October 28, 1882, and died at age 106 years old on February 20, 1989.
106 years
Laura E Owen of Yerington, Lyon County, NV was born on February 10, 1891, and died at age 107 years old on November 27, 1998.
107 years
Christina D Owen of Palm Springs, Riverside County, CA was born on July 28, 1886, and died at age 105 years old on February 26, 1992.
105 years
Hazel I Owen of Tacoma, Pierce County, WA was born on October 16, 1892, and died at age 105 years old on February 1, 1998.
105 years
Fern O Owen of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, AR was born on January 26, 1887, and died at age 106 years old in January 1993.
105 years
Rose Owen of North English, Iowa County, IA was born on November 14, 1892, and died at age 106 years old on November 28, 1998.
106 years
Dessie Owen of Spiro, Le Flore County, OK was born on August 16, 1903, and died at age 105 years old on July 6, 2009.
105 years
Advertisement
Advertisement

Other Owen Records

Share memories about your Owen family

Leave comments and ask questions related to the Owen family.

Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Walter Edward Owen Born November 18, 1915 and Died January 23, 1960 was my maternal grandfather. He has 4 children and 10 grandchildren, 8 granddaughters and 1 grandson.
Horace Owen was the sheriff of Lea County. He was over 6 foot, with broad shoulders and long legs. He was also a calf roper and team roped with my Daddy every Friday and Saturday night. He rode a big buckskin stallion and often would reach down and snatch me into the saddle with him. We would ride around between rounds and just chat with folks. I really had a big crush on him when he was 30, and I was 5. He called me George just like Daddy did, and never called me a 'lil ole girl' or a girl sissy like some of the younger boys did.I was no sissy and certainly never wanted to be., I realize now that it was because I would fight at the drop of a hat that they kept up the teasing.
Sheriff Owen was a lawman of extroidinary judgement and honor. Always the gentleman, and always with a big grin on his face. He excelled at sheriffing as he did at roping and everything else he did.

There was the boy who stole horses. Barely ten years old, with freckles a sad face, and ragged pants, that child was very good at what he did. What he did was steal horses. Not just any old nag, no sirree, he stole the best roping and trick horses in the county. THe only clues he left at the barns were his footprints in the sand.

I came to know about this boy when my Daddy's big black stallion disappeared one night from his corral. Daddy went right in when he discovered the loss and ask Sheriff Owen to look for Prince. Sheriff Owen just shook his head, and said " Come on Red.I know where he must be.. Mrs.Price's boy seems to be stealing about one horse every other day. Prince is the 6th one. It has come to a point where I have to put a stop to this theiving."

Well they got into the new 1946 Ford four door sedan police car and drove over to the Price place. Now Mrs Price was a widow with five boys and Jeffry was the oldest. She kept body and soul together taking in washing and ironing and cleaning an occasional house. THere was never enough money for necessities, much less non essentials like house paint or glass for broken windows. Jeffry helped out as much as he could by doing small jobs and watching the younger boys while his mom worked.

As they drove up to the Price place, there stood Prince, tied to a tree. The remains of some apples lay on the ground near his front feet. He nickered when my Daddy got out of the car and never took his eyes off him. Prince definitely wanted to go home.

Mrs Price, wiping her hands on her faded apron stepped out in the yard. " Sheriff, I was going into town to tell you about this one, but my youngest boy is down with the fever"

Sherrif Owen saw Jeffry standing in the doorway and he beconed hoim to come there. Sheriff Owen , with a stern look on his face said " Jeffry, Red here is taking his horse back right now. And you have to go to town with me, get into the car."
"Mrs. Price, don't worry. We are going to get this straightened out and Jeffry will be back in a little bit."
With fear on her face, she agreed to let him go.

Sheriff Owen never said a word all the way back to the little building where his office was, next door to to Prichard's Drugstore. Jeffry was too big to cry, but his lips trembled in sadness and fear.He hoped when he told the sheriff why the horse theiving was going on that the sheriff would listen. BUt that wasn't likely to happen. He was guilty so he would just be put into jail.

When they stopped the car in front of the office, Sheriff Owen said " Here we are Jeffry. I am a little dry from all this sheriffing. How about a soda in Prichard's?"
Jeffry could only nod his head in agreement.He had never been to a soda fountain before. Rich kids got sodas, and he shore was not a rich kid. He tagged along behind the sheriff and felt a bit better about his current situation.

"Sarah, give Jeffry and me one of those chocolate sodas, and make them the big 15 cents size. We have some business to take care of and may be here for awhile. "

"All right , Jeffry, why?" he drawled.

Jeffry knotted his hands into fists on his lap, raised his head and looked the Sheriff right in the eye and said " Well sir, We live a good piece away from anyone and my brothers dont have no toys. There is just so much playing the little ones can do with nothing but sand , rocks and some mesquite trees. And, well, I need a friend. If we had a horse, the little ones could ride him, and I could talk to him whenever I was lonesome or scared.I know it was wrong to steal , and I might go to hell for it after I spend a long time in your jail, but I just had to borrow those horses. I always meant to take them back, but you kept coming aftr them. I dont rightly think that is fair of you either."

With a somber look on his face, but tears in his eyes that tough New Mexico lawman decided right there to do some rough justice. "Jeffry, we have to take you to court. THe judge is going to sentence you, but I dont know if it will be to jail or not. You sit right here while I make a few calls to set up court. "

Jeffry finished his soda, and tried to rake up enough brave to get him through what ever was coming.

Sheriff Owen took him home and told him to be ready for court by 8:30 the next morning. Then heAsk Mrs Price to come out in the yard. They talked for a bit, and the Sheriff drove off.

At 8:30 Mrs Price and Jeffry entered the Court of Judge Stanley Earl. THey sat quietly awaiting Jeffry's fate.

Sheriff Owen, JAmes Click ( who had had his horse stolen by Jeffry} and my Daddy entered the court room. About that time the Judge took his seat.

The judge peered down and said "Jeffry Price. How do you plead to two counts of horse theiving?"

Jeffry looked up at his mother who said" Tell him you did it Jeffry. Tell the judge you are guilty".

He looked the judge right in the eye and said, " Judge,I did take those horses, so I am guilty. I am sorry I took them.I wont do it again ."

The judge looked athe sheriff and asked him if he had anything to say about the sentencing of this guilty young fellow,"

" Well, your honor, Jerry, Red and I sort of got together and we figured out what we think is justice.
See, We know why Jeffry took these horses, and while we dont think it ie ever right to steal, we do understand. So, we suggest, Your Honor, that Jeffry be sentenced to six months of work, after school and a half day on Saturdays for either Jerry or Red. We also want him sentenced to take very good care of John Austin's retired roping horse. I believe that horse is in Jeffry's yard right now with the hay that six months od work will pay for. in case he doesnt take care of old blacky, well your honor ,I want to pick him up again, And next tiem we wont be understanding "

The gavel slammed down on the desk and the judge said " So Ordered. Now go home and this one boy crime wave had better not happen again"


It did not.
In the middle of the depression, the family lived in an area of Indianapolis called Haughville. Grandpa Ira Owen wasn't used to so called 'urban' life having lived mostly on farms and in small towns the majority of his life.

One day Uncle Porter came over in his 'new' Model T Ford. Grandpa had not learned to drive an automobile. He still depended on his two feet to get him where he wanted to go or he used the trolley car to get uptown if needed.
It was a beautiful sunny summer day and everyone was outside enjoying themselves. Uncle Porter leaned on his car as he talked with Grandpa. Grandpa kept passing an admiring eye over the car. Finally, Grandpa mustered the courage to ask Uncle Porter if he could try driving the new car. Uncle Porter was very obliging and everyone climbed aboard for a nice Sunday drive.

Grandpa followed Uncle Porter's directions and was proceeding quite smoothly. He took the road to Riverside Park and drove around the perimeter. Clouds had began rolling in during the drive and it began to sprinkle. Grandpa quickly decided to go home.

Grandpa pulled into the yard and began turning the steering wheel causing the car to go in circles. Uncle Porter yelled for him to "hit the brake!" Everyone else was just yelling for him to stop. All the time Granpa was yelling " whoa, whoa," He finally came to rest against the corner of the house and everyone quickly jumped from the car checking to see that they were still in one piece. Grandpa Owen looked at the car and then at Uncle Porter. He scratched his whiskers and said "I'll take horses anyday, at least they stop when you tell 'em." Everyon of course laughed at the situation but Grandpa never tried driving again.

This story was told to me by my mother who was 9 years old at the time.

Followers & Sources

Loading records
Back to Top