"History of Southern Oregon, Comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and
Coos Counties.  Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources."  A. G. Walling,
Publisher.  Portland, OR.  1884.  pg. 535.

HON. JAMES W. F. OWENS

     Whose portrait appears in this history, is a true pioneer of the Pacific
Coast.  Born in Platte county, Missouri, February 22, 1843, and is the son of
Thomas and Sarah (Damron) Owens.  When but an infant his parents started in
June, 1843, with what is known as the second Oregon immigration to cross the
then almost unknown and trackless plains, and with ox teams they pursued their
weary journey, finally arriving in The Dalles in November of that year.  They
there secured canoes and came down the Columbia river to Astoria, and there his
father concluded to locate, selecting a farm on Clatsop plains where he resided
until the fall of 1853, when they came to Douglas county and located on the
place now owned by Rev. J. R. N. Bell, a short distance from Roseburg.  Here our
subject attended school, and at the age of fifteen years was placed in a high
school at Dallas, Polk county.  On his return from school, although yet a boy,
he spent two years in the mines of Southern Oregon, and again returned to
Roseburg and engaged in farming and stock raising, which they followed until
1877.  In the latter year the "Grange Business Association of Roseburg" was
organized and Mr. Owen was elected its manager -- a position he still holds --
and to whose able management is due the present success of that large
organization.  In June, 1874, Douglas county honored Mr. Owens with a seat in
the state senate, an office he filled with ability and to the utmost
satisfaction of his constituents.  Mr. Owens belongs to that class which thinks
that those who will, may win.  As a business man he has the confidence of all
who know him; as a citizen, the respect which his character and actions in life
have entitled him; and what he possesses of this world's goods is the result of
judicious labor prompted by his early surroundings, and not the reward of chance
or birth.  Mr. Owens was married in Roseburg, August 7, 1864, to Miss Nannie L.
Stevens, a native of Ohio.  By this union they have one son, Lafayette, and two
daughters, Esther and Effie.  In conclusion we would say of Mr. owens that the
fortune which in the autumn of life surrounds him has been gathered by worthy
hand, and properly rewards the life labors of a pioneer of his country.  It is
not infrequent that those who struggle less, and are favored according to their
efforts, are envious of those who succeed; but we can only say, success is
generally the result, as in this case, of intelligent and honorable endeavor to
succeed.  In his wanderings, seeking a favored spot for a life home, he has
woven into his history some strange adventures and hair breadth escapes -- when
want of food, and the Indian scalping knife has lurked close upon his trail --
but which to detail would require more space than is admissible in this work.
 

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.