The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 1069 EVAN OWEN. Evan Owen, whose fellow townsmen speak of him as a man of genuine worth, a man whose word is as good as his bond, makes his home near Sunnyside, where he is engaged in ranching. He was born in Wales, June 12, 1854, a son of John and Betsey Owen, who were farming people of that country but have now passed away. Evan Owen remained a resident of his native country through the period of his boyhood and youth and came to the United States in 1881, making his way to Kansas. He afterward worked for wages in that state, in California, in Oregon and in Washington and for many years was employed in herding sheep. In 1914 he purchased a half interest in a sheep ranch near Outlook, Washington, his partner being Frank Rufrock. Together they own twenty-four hundred head of sheep and a fine forty acre ranch. In 1918 they had about ten thousand head of sheep but have sold a great number. They are now planting the ranch to alfalfa, devoting it largely to the raising of hay, and to the property they have added many modern improvements. In 1883 Mr. Owen was married to Miss Jane Reese, who was born in Wales and came to the United States in her girlhood days. She passed away in 1886, leaving two children: Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Crouch, a resident of Oceanside, California, by whom she has one son, Herbert; and John William; usually known as Will, who married Minnie Sachman and resides in Sprague, Washington. He has two children, Robert and Clarence, Mr. Owen has been a resident of the Yakima valley for many years, first taking up his abode here in 1906. In the intervening period he has become recognized as one of the successful stockmen of the northwest. He has engaged extensively in buying and selling sheep, purchasing sheep to the value of sixty thousand dollars in a single day. He possesses a most retentive memory, keeping all of the details of a business transaction in his head, and he is known absolutely as a man of his word. His life has been characterized by unfaltering industry and diligence. He concentrates his efforts and attention upon business and maintains an even balance in all things. In politics he prefers the republican party and he does not believe in the Non-Partisan League or the I. W. W.'s. He looks at life always from a sane standpoint and recognizes its values. Losing his wife only three years after their marriage and being left with two small children, he has educated them and has given them a good start in life. He early recognized the fact that if the individual does not succeed he must place the blame upon himself. He saw that industry is the basis of prosperity and that hard work and economy will always enable one to attain success. His own career is an illustration of this fact and all who know him give him great credit for what he has accomplished. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.