O. L. Mowen
O. L. Mowen,member of the firm of Mowen Brothers, general building contractors of Lima, and the pioneer firm of Allen County in this line, was born November 5, 1859, in the city named and is a son of J. R. Mowen, a settler of 1841.
Mr. Mowen was reared and educated at Lima, receiving his literary training in its schools and his mechanical discipline with his father. Like his brother, the other member of the firm, he almost grew up with tools in his hand, and during his whole business life has been engaged in the building line. The firm of which he is an important member has been a large factor in the building operations of the city, and has built many of the largest manufacturing plants, business blocks, schools and churches of Lima. Some of the most important of these are mentioned in the sketch of the senior member of the firm, Edward S. Mowen. The firm justly claims to be the pioneer in its line in the city.
Mr. Mowen was married May 1, 1889, to May Belle Biddinger, of this county, and they have two children: Hugh Lester and Herbert William. Mr. Mowen belongs to Lima Lodge, No. 581, and Lima Encampment, No. 62, I. O. O. F.; Modern Woodmen of America, Eagles and Tribe of Ben Hur.