Arthur P. OWENS, cashier of the recently organized bank at Camp Grove, was born in Saratoga township, about two miles from this village, on the 10th of July, 1875. His father, John OWENS, was a native of Ireland, born in County Cork in 1838. He came to America in 1855 and made his way to Henry, Illinois, where he worked for the meager wage of seven dollars per month. In the early days he once walked from Henry, Illinois, to the farm of John ROOF, near Camp Grove, a distance of sixteen miles, in order to secure a half day's work at shocking wheat, and then walked back the entire distance. He labored earnestly and persistently in order to gain a start, and at length purchased eighty acres of land in Stark county in 1870, for which he paid eight hundred dollars. Later he sold this property, and at different times has bought and sold farms and made further investments in real estate until he now owns six hundred acres of valuable land adjoining Bradford. Illinois, and is one of the prosperous property holders, his possessions being extensive and valuable. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in life empty-handed and was forced to work for a very meager wage during the early days of his residence in this country. He holds membership in the Catholic church and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Father Mathew. He married Miss Maria DILLON, who was born in Ireland, their wedding being celebrated in Lacon in 1870. They traveled life's journey together for more than a quarter of a century, and were then separated through the death of the wife on the 18th of December, 1898. She too was a devout Catholic. Her father was Patrick DILLON and she was a sister of Mrs. Thomas O'BRIEN and Mrs. Anna DONAVAN. of Wyoming. Unto Mr. and Mrs. OWENS were born the following: Daniel J., Charles P., J. Thomas, Arthur P. and Hannah M.
Arthur P. OWENS acquired the greater part of his education in the schools of Bradford. Illinois, and was also for one year a student in St. Mary's College, St. Mary's. Kansas. He was reared to farm life until 1900, at which time, thinking that he would find other pursuits more congenial, he turned his attention to the banking business as an employee in the Phoenix bank at Bradford. There he remained until February 17, 1902, when the bank at Camp Grove was opened and Mr. OWENS was placed in charge as cashier. He has since been in control of this institution, which, under his capable management, has grown and developed and has become one of the valued moneyed concerns of the county a great convenience to the residents of this locality as well as a source of income to the stockholders. Mr. OWENS belongs to the Catholic church and is identified with the Knights of Father Mathew. A young man, he has displayed many traits of character which have rendered him popular both in social and business circles.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
| Bureau Putnam La Salle | |||
| Stark |
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| Peoria | Woodford | ||
