Married first Eliza Cook, daughter of Abraham Cook and his first wife (Eliza was the widow of Thomas Knapp, Sheriff of Wayne County (He died in 1830)).
Married second Jane Cook, sister of Eliza Cook Knapp Owen
Father of
Edmund J. Owen
Lafayette Owen
John Owen, Jr. (m. Blanche Fletcher, 4 June 1890)
Fannie Owen Lothrop (widow of George H. Lothrop)
*******
JOHN OWEN was born near Toronto, Canada West, March 20, 1809. His father died when Mr. Owen was quite young, and in the year 1818, with his mother, he came to Detroit. Soon after coming here he began to attend school in the old University building on Bates street, paying for his tuition by services rendered the preceptor.
When twelve years old he became an errand boy in the drug store of Dr. Chapin, remaining with him several years, and making himself so useful that when only twenty years old he was taken in as a partner, his energy and faithfulness being placed against the capital of his former employer. Subsequently the firm became J. Owen & Co. In 1853 he retired from trade, and the present firm of T. H. Hinchman & Son is the successor of the old firms of Chapin & Owen and J. Owen & Co.
After he retired from mercantile life, Mr. Owen gave "his attention largely to vessel and banking interests. He was one of the earliest and largest stockholders in the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Navigation Company, and for many years president of the corporation. He is also largely interested in the Detroit Dry Dock Company. He was president of the Michigan Insurance Co. Bank, and of its successor, the National Insurance Bank, and in 1857, while serving as president of the first named institution.it was the unbounded personal confidence that the people had in him that enabled the bank to go safely through those perilous times, and his integrity and good name was the wall that prevented the financial breakers from overwhelming not only the bank but scores of individuals as well. It was also fortunate that he was at the head of the State treasury from 186 1 to 1867, for in the first years of the war, without his personal credit and well known honesty, it would have been almost impossible for the State to have met the demands then made upon it in paying for the equipment of the troops.
Aside from the office of State Treasurer, the only public offices he has held were those of Alderman at Large in 1836, and of the First Ward in 1844 and 1845. He also served as one of the School Directors in 1839 and 1840, as Commissioner of Grades from 1859 to 1870, and as one of the Board of Water Commissioners from 1865 to 1879. From 1841 to 1848 he was one of the Board of Regents of Michigan University. During his earlier years he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, serving as foreman of Company No. 1 in 1837, and as president of the Department Society from 1841 to 1843. He has also been actively interested in various philanthropic and patriotic societies, serving as treasurer of a State Temperance Society in 1837, as president of the Michigan Soldiers' Relief Society in 1864, and as trustee and treasurer of the corporation of Elmwood Cemetery from its organization, for over forty years.
His connection with the Central Methodist Episcopal Church as trustee and treasurer covers even a longer period, and he diu more than any other person during a period of nearly fifty years to protect and preserve its credit, by the prompt payment of all bills, without regard to the possession of church funds at the time. During all this time he was recognized as the foremost member in the State of the church of his choice, and contributed very largely to its building up, not only in Detroit, but in the State at large. He is one of the principal trustees of Albion College, and has given largely to that institution.
His benefactions have not been confined within denominational lines, but whenever time and influence and means could help solve social problems, he has been ready to help. His long residence in the city, his upright life and careful judgment, and the many services he has rendered the public, have made his name a synonym for character and worth, and he occupies a position that comparatively few attain.
Silas Farmer, The History of Detroit and Michigan, Silas Farmer & Co., Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, 1889, pp 1067-1068
Married second Jane Cook, sister of Eliza Cook Knapp Owen
Father of
Edmund J. Owen
Lafayette Owen
John Owen, Jr. (m. Blanche Fletcher, 4 June 1890)
Fannie Owen Lothrop (widow of George H. Lothrop)
*******
JOHN OWEN was born near Toronto, Canada West, March 20, 1809. His father died when Mr. Owen was quite young, and in the year 1818, with his mother, he came to Detroit. Soon after coming here he began to attend school in the old University building on Bates street, paying for his tuition by services rendered the preceptor.
When twelve years old he became an errand boy in the drug store of Dr. Chapin, remaining with him several years, and making himself so useful that when only twenty years old he was taken in as a partner, his energy and faithfulness being placed against the capital of his former employer. Subsequently the firm became J. Owen & Co. In 1853 he retired from trade, and the present firm of T. H. Hinchman & Son is the successor of the old firms of Chapin & Owen and J. Owen & Co.
After he retired from mercantile life, Mr. Owen gave "his attention largely to vessel and banking interests. He was one of the earliest and largest stockholders in the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Navigation Company, and for many years president of the corporation. He is also largely interested in the Detroit Dry Dock Company. He was president of the Michigan Insurance Co. Bank, and of its successor, the National Insurance Bank, and in 1857, while serving as president of the first named institution.it was the unbounded personal confidence that the people had in him that enabled the bank to go safely through those perilous times, and his integrity and good name was the wall that prevented the financial breakers from overwhelming not only the bank but scores of individuals as well. It was also fortunate that he was at the head of the State treasury from 186 1 to 1867, for in the first years of the war, without his personal credit and well known honesty, it would have been almost impossible for the State to have met the demands then made upon it in paying for the equipment of the troops.
Aside from the office of State Treasurer, the only public offices he has held were those of Alderman at Large in 1836, and of the First Ward in 1844 and 1845. He also served as one of the School Directors in 1839 and 1840, as Commissioner of Grades from 1859 to 1870, and as one of the Board of Water Commissioners from 1865 to 1879. From 1841 to 1848 he was one of the Board of Regents of Michigan University. During his earlier years he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, serving as foreman of Company No. 1 in 1837, and as president of the Department Society from 1841 to 1843. He has also been actively interested in various philanthropic and patriotic societies, serving as treasurer of a State Temperance Society in 1837, as president of the Michigan Soldiers' Relief Society in 1864, and as trustee and treasurer of the corporation of Elmwood Cemetery from its organization, for over forty years.
His connection with the Central Methodist Episcopal Church as trustee and treasurer covers even a longer period, and he diu more than any other person during a period of nearly fifty years to protect and preserve its credit, by the prompt payment of all bills, without regard to the possession of church funds at the time. During all this time he was recognized as the foremost member in the State of the church of his choice, and contributed very largely to its building up, not only in Detroit, but in the State at large. He is one of the principal trustees of Albion College, and has given largely to that institution.
His benefactions have not been confined within denominational lines, but whenever time and influence and means could help solve social problems, he has been ready to help. His long residence in the city, his upright life and careful judgment, and the many services he has rendered the public, have made his name a synonym for character and worth, and he occupies a position that comparatively few attain.
Silas Farmer, The History of Detroit and Michigan, Silas Farmer & Co., Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, 1889, pp 1067-1068
Married first Eliza Cook, daughter of Abraham Cook and his first wife (Eliza was the widow of Thomas Knapp, Sheriff of Wayne County (He died in 1830)).
Married second Jane Cook, sister of Eliza Cook Knapp Owen
Father of
Edmund J. Owen
Lafayette Owen
John Owen, Jr. (m. Blanche Fletcher, 4 June 1890)
Fannie Owen Lothrop (widow of George H. Lothrop)
*******
JOHN OWEN was born near Toronto, Canada West, March 20, 1809. His father died when Mr. Owen was quite young, and in the year 1818, with his mother, he came to Detroit. Soon after coming here he began to attend school in the old University building on Bates street, paying for his tuition by services rendered the preceptor.
When twelve years old he became an errand boy in the drug store of Dr. Chapin, remaining with him several years, and making himself so useful that when only twenty years old he was taken in as a partner, his energy and faithfulness being placed against the capital of his former employer. Subsequently the firm became J. Owen & Co. In 1853 he retired from trade, and the present firm of T. H. Hinchman & Son is the successor of the old firms of Chapin & Owen and J. Owen & Co.
After he retired from mercantile life, Mr. Owen gave "his attention largely to vessel and banking interests. He was one of the earliest and largest stockholders in the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Navigation Company, and for many years president of the corporation. He is also largely interested in the Detroit Dry Dock Company. He was president of the Michigan Insurance Co. Bank, and of its successor, the National Insurance Bank, and in 1857, while serving as president of the first named institution.it was the unbounded personal confidence that the people had in him that enabled the bank to go safely through those perilous times, and his integrity and good name was the wall that prevented the financial breakers from overwhelming not only the bank but scores of individuals as well. It was also fortunate that he was at the head of the State treasury from 186 1 to 1867, for in the first years of the war, without his personal credit and well known honesty, it would have been almost impossible for the State to have met the demands then made upon it in paying for the equipment of the troops.
Aside from the office of State Treasurer, the only public offices he has held were those of Alderman at Large in 1836, and of the First Ward in 1844 and 1845. He also served as one of the School Directors in 1839 and 1840, as Commissioner of Grades from 1859 to 1870, and as one of the Board of Water Commissioners from 1865 to 1879. From 1841 to 1848 he was one of the Board of Regents of Michigan University. During his earlier years he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, serving as foreman of Company No. 1 in 1837, and as president of the Department Society from 1841 to 1843. He has also been actively interested in various philanthropic and patriotic societies, serving as treasurer of a State Temperance Society in 1837, as president of the Michigan Soldiers' Relief Society in 1864, and as trustee and treasurer of the corporation of Elmwood Cemetery from its organization, for over forty years.
His connection with the Central Methodist Episcopal Church as trustee and treasurer covers even a longer period, and he diu more than any other person during a period of nearly fifty years to protect and preserve its credit, by the prompt payment of all bills, without regard to the possession of church funds at the time. During all this time he was recognized as the foremost member in the State of the church of his choice, and contributed very largely to its building up, not only in Detroit, but in the State at large. He is one of the principal trustees of Albion College, and has given largely to that institution.
His benefactions have not been confined within denominational lines, but whenever time and influence and means could help solve social problems, he has been ready to help. His long residence in the city, his upright life and careful judgment, and the many services he has rendered the public, have made his name a synonym for character and worth, and he occupies a position that comparatively few attain.
Silas Farmer, The History of Detroit and Michigan, Silas Farmer & Co., Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, 1889, pp 1067-1068
Married second Jane Cook, sister of Eliza Cook Knapp Owen
Father of
Edmund J. Owen
Lafayette Owen
John Owen, Jr. (m. Blanche Fletcher, 4 June 1890)
Fannie Owen Lothrop (widow of George H. Lothrop)
*******
JOHN OWEN was born near Toronto, Canada West, March 20, 1809. His father died when Mr. Owen was quite young, and in the year 1818, with his mother, he came to Detroit. Soon after coming here he began to attend school in the old University building on Bates street, paying for his tuition by services rendered the preceptor.
When twelve years old he became an errand boy in the drug store of Dr. Chapin, remaining with him several years, and making himself so useful that when only twenty years old he was taken in as a partner, his energy and faithfulness being placed against the capital of his former employer. Subsequently the firm became J. Owen & Co. In 1853 he retired from trade, and the present firm of T. H. Hinchman & Son is the successor of the old firms of Chapin & Owen and J. Owen & Co.
After he retired from mercantile life, Mr. Owen gave "his attention largely to vessel and banking interests. He was one of the earliest and largest stockholders in the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Navigation Company, and for many years president of the corporation. He is also largely interested in the Detroit Dry Dock Company. He was president of the Michigan Insurance Co. Bank, and of its successor, the National Insurance Bank, and in 1857, while serving as president of the first named institution.it was the unbounded personal confidence that the people had in him that enabled the bank to go safely through those perilous times, and his integrity and good name was the wall that prevented the financial breakers from overwhelming not only the bank but scores of individuals as well. It was also fortunate that he was at the head of the State treasury from 186 1 to 1867, for in the first years of the war, without his personal credit and well known honesty, it would have been almost impossible for the State to have met the demands then made upon it in paying for the equipment of the troops.
Aside from the office of State Treasurer, the only public offices he has held were those of Alderman at Large in 1836, and of the First Ward in 1844 and 1845. He also served as one of the School Directors in 1839 and 1840, as Commissioner of Grades from 1859 to 1870, and as one of the Board of Water Commissioners from 1865 to 1879. From 1841 to 1848 he was one of the Board of Regents of Michigan University. During his earlier years he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, serving as foreman of Company No. 1 in 1837, and as president of the Department Society from 1841 to 1843. He has also been actively interested in various philanthropic and patriotic societies, serving as treasurer of a State Temperance Society in 1837, as president of the Michigan Soldiers' Relief Society in 1864, and as trustee and treasurer of the corporation of Elmwood Cemetery from its organization, for over forty years.
His connection with the Central Methodist Episcopal Church as trustee and treasurer covers even a longer period, and he diu more than any other person during a period of nearly fifty years to protect and preserve its credit, by the prompt payment of all bills, without regard to the possession of church funds at the time. During all this time he was recognized as the foremost member in the State of the church of his choice, and contributed very largely to its building up, not only in Detroit, but in the State at large. He is one of the principal trustees of Albion College, and has given largely to that institution.
His benefactions have not been confined within denominational lines, but whenever time and influence and means could help solve social problems, he has been ready to help. His long residence in the city, his upright life and careful judgment, and the many services he has rendered the public, have made his name a synonym for character and worth, and he occupies a position that comparatively few attain.
Silas Farmer, The History of Detroit and Michigan, Silas Farmer & Co., Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, 1889, pp 1067-1068
Family Members
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
