MR. EVAN OWENS, REMSEN, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
EVAN OWENS, son of John H. and Jane Owens, was born in Carnarvonshire, February 27, 1800. He had three brothers, Owen, Thomas and John, all of whom came to this country with the father's family in 1801, and located at Philadelphia, Pa. In October, 1812, they came to Steuben, and the following April to Remsen, having purchased a farm at Fairchild.John H. Owens, the father, was a weaver, and his daughter Lucy was an expert at the loom, turning out very artistic fabrics in both wool and linen, some of which may still be found here.
Evan Owens was one of the substantial men of the township, for many years a school teacher, a justice of the peace, and town commissioner of schools.
He married first, Hanorah, daughter of Bohan Smith, by whom he had nine children: and second, Catherine, daughter of David Prichard, by whom he had one daughter, who married Charles Phelps.
A narrative history of Remsen, New York.
MR. EVAN OWENS, REMSEN, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
This gentleman was born in Caernarvonshire, North Wales, February 27th, 1800, the youngest child of John H. and Jane Owens. He had three brothers, Owen, Thomas and John. The family emigrated to the United States in 1801, and settled in Lower Dublin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they remained eleven years. In October 1812, they moved to Steuben, Oneida County, and in April 1813, to Remsen, having purchased fifty-four acres partly improved land, and which is a part of the land owned by Evan Owens. A log house had been built near the spot where Mr. Owens' residence now stands. The father lived the remainder of his life here. Twelve years before his death he became totally blind. He died August 27th, 1884, aged eighty-two years. In less than one month, September 25th, 1884, his wife followed him. The brother are also deceased. Evan Owens was the "home boy," and worked the homestead. Except three months at the academy in Steuben, he received his education in the district schools of the neighbourhood. When about twenty-two years of age he took up the business of stone-cutting, and followed it for about two seasons. But Mr. Owens will be remembered in his town longest as a teacher. For about twenty-five seasons he taught the district schools of the neighbourhood in winter, working the farm in summer.He was married, April, 1829, to Honorah Smith, Daughter of Bohan and Betsey Smith, (Bohan Smith was one of the most successful farmers of Remsen, and was one of the leading members of the Fairchild Methodist Episcopal Church of Remsen, and one of the earliest settlers in Remsen.) residents of Remsen, by whom he had children as follows :
James, born May 28th 1831; married Ellen Griffiths, by whom he had one daughter, Libbie. He died January 28th, 1870.
Charles, a farmer, living in Remsen, born June 8th, 1833; married Emma Nelson.
John H., born July 8th, 1835, a carpenter, living in Darien, Walworth County, Wisconsin.
Elizabeth J., born August 19th, 1837, wife of William G. Jones, a farmer living in Sugar Grove, Cane County, Illinois.
Martha, born October 26th, 1840, wife of John Brown, a farmer living in West Branch, Oneida County.
Mary Ann, born June 2nd, 1843; married February 9th, 1864, to William P. Dodge; died February 12th, 1874.
Hannah M., born September 27th, 1845, wife of William R. Williams of Prospect.
Evan Owens, Jr., born May 6th, 1848, farmer, living in Sugar Grove, Cane County, Illinois.
B. Smith Owens, born September 27th, 1850; of the firm of Emdin and Owens, silversmiths, in Utica.
Mrs. Owens died October 2nd, 1850. Shw was a woman very much respected, and her loss was sorely felt not only by her family, but by the entire neighborhood in which she lived.
Mr. Owens married for his second wife Catherine Pritchard, daughter of David W. and Mary Pritchard, of Trenton toenship. Mrs. Owens was born in Trenton, September 17th, 1833. By her he has one child, Ida, born March 5th, 1868, living at home. Mr. Pritchard was born in Steuben, Mrs. Pritchard in Trenton. They now reside in Trenton township, where Mr. Pritchard is a prominent farmer, and both are leading members of the Baptist Church in Remsen village, and are held in high esteem in the community where thet reside.
Few men have been more prominent in his township than Mr. Owens, and he has occupied various positions of public trust. Nine years constable, six years collector, about twenty-five years township school inspector, assessor, poor-master, four years justice of the peace, supervisor six years, and superintendent of schools ten years. The varied duties devolving upon him in these different positions were performed to the entire acceptance of the people.
In 1830 he received the nomination for member of the assembly, and, though he ran five hundred votes ahead of his ticket, failed of an election.
To the original fifty-four acres of land which was willed him by his father, he has added other lands, and is now the owner of two hundred and seventy-five acres in a body. In politics, first a Whig, but has benn identified with the Democratic party for many years. In religion he entertains liberal views. For the last three years he has been partially lost his eyesight. Few men hold a higher place in the esteem and goodwill of his neighbors than does Evan Owens, or will be longer remembered as a worthy and useful citizen.
History of Oneida County, New York.
MR. EVAN OWENS, REMSEN, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
In the name of God, Amen.I Evan Owens of the Town of Remsen County of Oneida and State of New York of the age of eighty three years and being of sound mind and memory do make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say :
First : I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Catherine Owens an eighth part of all my real and personal estate after paying all my debts and funeral expenses to be and accepted by her in lieu of doner as per a marriage contract made and entered into July 7th 1862 by myself and Catherine, to be her absolute property.
Second : I give to my son Charles Owens to be his absolute property one eighth part after paying the estate five hundred dollars for monies loaned and expended for him or his benefit.
Third : I give to John Owens my son one eighth part after paying the estate two hundred and fifty dollars for monies paid out and loaned for him and his benefit.
Fourth : I give Evan Owens my son one eighth part after paying the estate five hundred dollars of which one hundred dollars is for minies loaned him and four hundred dollars a promisory note which I signed for him to one Gilbert Dodge.
Fifth : I give to my son Smith Owens one eighth part after paying the estate two hundred and fifty dollars for monies loaned him.
Sixth : I give to my daughter Elizabeth Jones one eighth part.
Seventh : I give to my daughter Martha Brown one eighth part.
Eighth : I give to my daughter Ido Owens one eighth part, all of the above legatees to hold the same onr eighth part as this absolute property share and share alike.
Lastly : I give and devise all my real and personal estate of whatever kind soever to Nathan C. Phelps of Remsen Oneida County New York, the Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereinafter nominated appointed in trust for the payment of my just debts and legacies above specified with power to sell and dispose of the same at public or private sale at such time or times and upon such terms and in such manner as to him shall seem meet providing that no part of my real estate as aforesaid shall be sold at public auction until after the expiration of five years from the time of my decease.
I do hereby appoint Nathan C Phelps sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
The above instrument consisting of one sheet was at the date thereof signed sealed published and declared by the said Evan Owens as and for his last Will and Testament in presence of us who at his request and in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
O. S. Evans residing at Remsen Oneida County.
John P. Samuel residing at Remsen Oneida County.