Orleans

OWEN, Clarence Philander

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 290-291 
(portrait p 290)

Clarence Philander OWEN, of Glover, was born 31 March 1844 in Glover [Orleans 
County, Vermont], son of Philander and Irene (KNAPP) OWEN. He is of Puritan 
lineage, being a descendant from Samuel and Priscilla OWEN, who emigrated 
from Wales about 1685, settled in Salem [Essex County], Massachusetts, but 
not finding sufficient religious liberty there, went to Roger WILLIAMS' 
colony at Providence [Providence County], Rhode Island. His [the subject's] 
great grandfather, Capt. Daniel OWEN, was the president of the first state 
convention of Rhode Island, which adopted the Constitution, and drafted the 
letter which informed General WASHINGTON of the organization of the state 
government. He was also chief justice of the state and Dept. Governor from 
1786 to 1790, and with five others was granted the exclusive privilege of 
coining money for a term of twelve years, then was a partner in an iron 
foundry with the celebrated John Paul JONES until the breaking out of the 
Revolution. At the close of the war, with others, he received a grant of 
land in the towns of Westfield and Barton [both in Orleans County, Vermont].

Mr. Clarence Philander OWEN obtained his education in the public schools, the 
Orleans Liberal Institute of Glover, and Barre Academy. After a course of 
legal study in the office of Knapp & Wright of Keosaukqua [Van Buren 
County?], Iowa, in the fall of 1866, he was admitted to the Van Buren County 
bar of Iowa, but never practiced his profession, for he was immediately 
appointed United States inspector of customs for the First Iowa district. 
While visiting his home in 1868 he was seized with a dangerous illness the 
nature of which precluded all indoor occupation, and he became a farmer. In 
this employment he has always remained, making a specialty of Jersey stock 
and Morgan horses.

Mr. OWEN has been earnestly interested in public affairs, is a member of the 
Republican party, has served on the county committee, held most of the town 
offices and is county auditor, now serving his third year. In 1886 and 1888 
he was elected associate judge for Orleans County, serving the full term of 
four years, and in 1892 represented the town of Glover in the General 
Assembly, serving on the ways and means committee. Judge OWEN is a 
Congregationalist, and a Free & Accepted Mason, affiliating with Orleans 
Lodge No. 55, of Barton, and Cleveland Chapter No. 20, of Newport. On 04 
February 1869 he [Clarence Philander OWEN] married Anna, daughter of William 
and Fanny (RANDALL) CHASE, of Wheelock [Caledonia County, Vermont]. Two 
daughters have been born to them: (1) Maud L., Mrs. William S. MASON, of 
Glover [Orleans County, Vermont]; and (2) Kate, Mrs. Willard C. LEONARD, of 
New London [Merrimack County], New Hampshire.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly