THE MCOWEN/MCEOWEN FAMILY

A transcript of the letter written in 1915 by John Lucas McEowen (1843 - 1930) for his descendants

John Lucas McEowen wrote the following 'letter' for his descendants. John gave the original copy to his son, William F, and then it was given to William's daughter Zelma M (McOwen) Young. Copied word for word with his own misspellings, grammar errors, etc.   

"Ft. Jennings, Ohio, August 10, 1915 - it is with plasure that I take this oppertunity to try to rite up a little histry in regarde to this tripel reuion, first in regarde to the McEowen family I with to say that so far as we have been able to investgate I John L. McEowen, is the oldest one of the famely that is living to day. I was borned October the 27, 1843 in Franklin Co Ohio, on the banks of the Scioty River, five miles north of Columbus, and move with my Father to this Cuntry in Augst 1858 located in Putnam Co Ohio in Jennings TownShip near the Village of Ft. Jennings in what was known as the Swomps between the Oglaze and hobCrik river, tha latter bearing the name of Otterwa rive at Present in and around the vicinity of Ft. Jennings. I spent my manhood days, my occupation Princable was Choping Pileing brush, roleing logs and spliting rails building fence and going over the Country to helping new neighbors to raise log Cabians and log Stabels. my Father departed this life on July the 14, 1860 he was sick for about two years with that bothSome desease lingering Consumption. he was twice married is famaly was Composed of nine Childern, one Sone and one daughter by the first union Seven Childern were born of the Second Union five souns and two daughters, four sones and one daughter have Passed away. fore are living two brothers and two sisters. of which have been Permited to meet here to day in this reunion, for this blessing we feel to thank God for the Privlige wee enjoy to day. Second, the Price family and the McEowen family are Pretty Closely Connected to gether my gradmother McEowen maden name was Price. her and her brother Samuel Price amigranted to this State from Pensilvania about the time that this State of Ohio was admitted to the Union they located in Franklin Co Ohio on the banks of the Siota river near the hart of the City wher the Cite of the City of Columbus the Cappital of the state is now Situated About the year 1858 Samual Price move from Franklin Co with his family to Allen Co Ohio and located three miles South of Delphos on what is called Jennings Crick. at the farm of his residence where he maid his choice. in the earley days. he Passed away and was berid in what is known as the west Side semmetery in Delphos. he was Among the first that was beried in the Semmetery as mention above his family was A very large family they are Scatered Pretty well over this State.
third. the Harris family Come to this state in an early day. and as I have never been informed as to the time they arrived in the State. therefoer I am not able to give the Crreck date as to the time they moved to this Country. but Serfice to Say that they located in fairfeld Co near lancaster the County Seat. and move from fairfield Co to Allen Co. about the year 1850, and in March or April 1856 Joseph Harris move to Putnam Co, Ohio. and located in what is Called Plesetvalla in the Swomps with the rest of us that was Settled here in that early day. Unclo Jo, as wee all Called him was A fine man he was A man alwaase redy to lend A helping hand in every time of need he was what we may Call A leader in A Society or A neighberhood. he was a good Conseler on any Subjeck that you might bring up before him he was A Justice of the Peace in Jennings Township fore A nomber of years he deprted this life on April the 8, 1875. left his Wife with eight mirner Childern he was marid three times to the first uion Six Childern were born three Sons and three daughters. the Second uion there was no Childer the thid uion are the eight of which is Stated above. I was married to his eldest Daughter on November the 11 A D 1866 to this union was born Eleven Childern five Sones and Six Daughters. She departed this life on March the 19, 1887. So I was left with childern to do the very best that I.....I have thirteen gradchildren three have Pass away ten are living. Joseph McEowen my borther was the Father of five Chirldern tow Suns and three Daughters. rebeca Jan Gordon A Sister is the Mother of Six Childern two have Passed away four are living two Sons and two Daughters Sarah Gray A Sister is the Mother of Seven Childern five Sons and two Daughters the two Daughters have Pass away"

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