Great Grandfather Aaron was born the year James Monroe was president and lived to see fifteen different men hold this high office. Among them were Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor, Abraham Lincoln and Ulysse S. Grant. Great Grand Father Aaron died the last year Chester A. Arthur was in the Presidents Office in 1885. Great Grandmother Nancy Jane lived twenty nine more years.

They lived to hear tales of Davey Crockett and of his death at the 'Alamo' in March of 1836.

They lived during the agricultural revolution of the 1840's and the gold rush of 1848 and the other gold strikes of Idaho, Montana, and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Which kept the frenzy of gold and silver intil the 1880's.

They lived through the era of the Indian removal and prohibition; and saw some of the first rail and steam travel.

They probably heard the remarks of Ralph Waldo Emerson when he said this of the American's who lived in the 1800's: "We American's we walk on our feet; we will work with our hands; we will speak our minds".; When Emerson spoke the words, he voiced the feelings of the Americans of that day and also of today!

These were my Great Grand Parents to whom I dedicat this small piece of history.

John Aaron Owen, August 16, 1980

According to Stanley Taylor, Great Great Grandson of Newton County, Ar. Aaron Owen was killed by Missouri Bushwackers. Mr. Taylor is the pastor of Lurton Assembly Church in Pelsor, Ar. Regarding Aaron's death in 1885:

At this time Aaron was a Minister and also a Farmer. It seems a group of Missouri Bushwhackers were on the prowl and came to the farm of Aaron and Nancy Jane looking for food, money, chickens or anything of value. Aaron was sick in bed. They told hom of their intentions to kill him. He begged to be allowed to lay on the fireplace hearth so it would not make a bloody mess for his to have to clean. They granted him this favor and killed him on the hearth. It was December 18, 1885.

This story was told by his son, Joseph Alexander Owen:

Aaron would frequently come home drunk and violent. On this particular night Nancy Jane waited until he passed out in front of the fire. She then sewed him up in a Linsey sheet, and proceeded to pour hot lead in his ear. Killing him.

The above story is believed to be the one told to the Sheriff when he came to investigate. Joseph Alexander was 14 when this took place.

View Scrapbook Item # 575

You can reach me by email, John Aaron Owen

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