History of Wayne Co., Illinois, published 1884, Globe Publishing Co.,
Historical Publishers, Chicago.  Barren County.

REV. WILLIAM M. OWEN, farmer and local minister, P. O. Fairfield.  The
subject of this sketch is one of our most whole-souled and best citizens. 
He was born November 22, 1827, in Barren County, Ky., near the Mammoth
Cave.  His father, James Owen, was a farmer, and a native of Virginia.  He
lived many years in Kentucky; 1837, he emigrated to Wayne County, Ill.,
where he farmed and died in 1877.  His father, John Owen (the grandfather
of our subject), was also a farmer, and a soldier in the war of the
Revolution.  Our subject's [great] grandfather was David Owen.  The Owen
family originated in Scotland; from there they moved to England, and
finally came to America.  The mother of our subject was Susannah (Monroe)
Owen, a native of South Carolina.  She died here, aged eighty-one years. 
She was the mother of ten children, viz.:  Johnson M., John, Elizabeth,
James L., Jefferson, David, Amelia, Nancy, William M. (our subject) and
Obediah H.  All the children, except the subject of this sketch are now
dead.  His four brothers died while fighting in the army for the defense
of this grand republic, and it is no wonder that William M. Owen is such a
warm supporter of the Republican party.  The names of the falle heroes are
Johnson M., James L., Obediah H. and David.  The latter was burned on the
"General Lyon" while on his way home, after serving three years.  Mr. Owen
was mostly educated in Wayne County, to which he came when a ten year old
with his parents.  He farmed in early life, but after he married he
studied for the ministry, and was ordained as a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.  He was connected with the conference about twelve years
and is now a local minister.  He has 280 acres of land in Jasper Township.
Our subject was married, July 23, 1850, in this county to Miss Nancy C.
Owen, born January 22, 1832 in Wayne County, Ill., daughter of E. C. Owen,
a native of Halifax County, Va., and Charity (White) Owen, a native of
Kentucky. Six children have blessed this union, viz.: Abigail Schell,
Edwin M. (deceased), Loretta V., William L., Charles E. [might be F.] and
Nancy M.  Mr. and Mrs. Owen are all their children are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, which he supports liberally.  Mr. Owen has
been Township Assessor for two terms; he has also filled schools offices. 
His life is worth of imitation.

Owen Monroe
=
Fairfield-Wayne-IL Scotland England SC Halifax-VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/barren/owen.wm.txt