William Owen : Marker #17-11
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N 40° 05.182 W 083° 50.230
17T E 258108 N 4441201
Located at 2100 SR 560 outside of Urbana, just south of the driveway.
Waymark Code: WM17AY
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 02/10/2007
Views: 27
Virginia native William Owen, 1769-1821, is credited with being the first American to settle in Mad River Township, Champaign County sometime between 1797-1799. He and his family built a cabin in the northeast quarter of Section 15 directly west of this marker. Later he purchased 240 acres on which the cabin stood for $1.00 an acre from William Ward, founder of Urbana. Accused of being an eccentric, Owen was known for strong language and long oration during times of stress. Owen also raised swine and was called Kosko Elene or Hogman by the local Shawnee Indian population who were known to have taken a few piglets when Owen was not around. Owen and his wife reared eight children and both are interred in the family pioneer cemetery in the woods to the west.
Marker Number: 17-11
County: Champaign
Significance of Location: Person
Website address: [Web Link]
Additional Coordinate: Not Listed
Additional Coordinate description: Not listed
Bicentenial Mark: Not Listed
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