Surname: Owens

Biography of John Owens

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

John Owens, born in North Wales in 1839, immigrated to the United States around 1859. He initially worked in Illinois and Minnesota before settling in Yankton County, South Dakota, in 1884. In the same year, he married Henrietta Kuhler, whose parents were German immigrants. The couple had one son, William. Over time, Owens acquired 340 acres of farmland, focusing on grain and livestock. He was a respected community member, active in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Owens’s life reflects the perseverance typical of 19th-century immigrants seeking better opportunities in America.

History of Newport Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

The surface of Newport township is level and has a large slough extending from north to south through its center. This slough has the appearance of having been a lake, perhaps centuries ago; the bottom is level and makes a good meadow. East of the slough, on sec. 16, the old earthworks of a fort remain to be seen. In all probability it was built by Gen Sibley in 1863-‘4, when he was through here hunting hostile Indians. The township is well settled and has three schoolhouses; before the division it belonged to Farmington, Day County. Pioneer Settlers of Newport … Read more

History of Lowell Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

Lowell township lies west of Waverly and is quite level, and one of the most fertile townships in the county. In June, 1883, was included in Hickman school township, and in March, 1884. was set off and named Lowell, in honor of Judge Lowell, of Bristol, who for several years was chairman of the board of county commissioners of Day county. Lowell now has two good school-houses, built in 1885. Jay King, mentioned in Waverly, squatted on sec. 23 in the fall of ’82 and built a shack; afterwards filed homestead on sec. 26. In the winter of 1884-5 married … Read more