My Genealogy Hound

PROF. MARCUS S. OWEN was born in Oxford, Chenango County, N. Y., April 25, 1820, and traces his lineage to Wales, representatives of his family having emigrated to the United States in an early day and made settlement in the Empire State. There Grandfather Alvin Owen was born and that State was also the birthplace of S. W. Owen, father of our subject. The last-named saw active military service in the War of 1812, where he fought for the freedom of our country and its protection against the encroachments of an insidious enemy. For many years he was engaged in the lumbering business, in which he had large interests, and was quite successful. His wife was Sallie, daughter of John Sherwood, a resident of Connecticut.

At the age of twenty years, our subject commenced the study of music, for which he had a predilection. His first instructors were Thomas Hastings and W. B. Bradbury, of New York City, under whom he acquired great proficiency in vocal music and as a violinist. His perseverance, in connection with an unusual degree of natural talent, contributed to the attainment of high skill as a musician, and at an early age he won considerable local fame as a skilled artist. In 1857 he removed from New York City to Chicago and thence to Galesburg, Ill., where he engaged as an instructor of vocal music and the violin for a period of four years. Returning to Chicago, he there followed his profession for two years.

In 1866 Prof. Owen came to Benton Harbor, where he has taught instrumental music up to the present time, and also gives instruction on the violin, but has abandoned vocal music. He cares little for politics, but advocates the principles of the Republican party and supports his opinions with his ballot. His marriage in 1857 united him with Miss Adelaide J. Pope, who was at that time a resident of New Berlin, Chenango County, N. Y. Her father, Asa Pope, was a native of New York and the son of Gates Pope, likewise of the Empire State, the latter in turn being the son of Gershom Gates, a native of Vermont and a Captain in the War of the Revolution, serving under Arnold in the Army of the North. The Pope ancestors sailed from Plymouth, England, on the 20th of March, 1629, on a vessel called “The Mary & John,” commanded by Capt. Squab. Settling at Mattapan, Mass., they gave to the place the name of Dorchester, that being in June of 1630.

The mother of Mrs. Owen bore the maiden name of Charlotte Stoneman and was of English descent. Her father, Richard Stoneman, was a native of London, England, and emigrated to the United States, settling in New Berlin, Chenango County, N. Y. He was a man of splendid intellect and strong personality, wielding great influence in his community and becoming well known throughout the State. He was the grandfather of the late Gen. George Stoneman. Prof, and Mrs. Owen have been the parents of two children, one of whom, Frank, died when a child. Alice is the widow of W. Brown, of Kalamazoo County, Mich., who died in Benton Harbor in 1887. Mrs. Owen is also a music teacher, her specialty being the piano and organ. The pioneer musicians of Benton Harbor are largely indebted to Prof. Owen and his wife for their success in developing the musical talent of the young people here.