Thomas Owen
Thomas Owen was born in Wales, August 12, 1805, a son of Evan and Mary (Evan) Owen. His father was a cabinet maker, and although an industrious man, was able to maintain his large family only comfortably, having no means with which to surround them with the luxuries of life, and was able only to give them limited educational advantages. Thomas remained in his native country until 1832, when he came to America and for a number of years worked by the day in the coal fields of Pennsylvania. In 1845 he came to Holmes County, Ohio, and in 1848 bought 100 acres of wild land, which he has cleared and cultivated, and assisted by his faithful wife has acquired a competence for his old age, being now one of the well-to-do citizens of the county. He is one of the oldest residents of Knox Township, where he has lived forty-four years, and has by his upright, honorable life made many friends who now accord to him the respect and esteem due to old age.
Mr. Owen was married in 1836 to Martha Polk, and they have had nine children: Mary, Margaret, Ann, Sarah, Elizabeth, John, Thomas, Alexander and Jane. Mr. Owen is a Democrat in his political views; is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889