Owen's Family & Minniedale Farm, Chemung, NY
Minniedale Farm was located on the Indian's Flats, that being the "Old Chemung Indian Village". At the time of the first white settlers it was known as McDowell Flats. The land owned by Daniel McDowell.
(The following biography was Taken from Our County and its people A History of the Valley and County of Chemung by: Ausburn Towner)
Owen, Henry W., was born in Vernon, Sussex County, N. J., on May 1, 1802, and died in Elmira, August 3, 1883. He was a son of Isaac H. and Abigail (Wisner) Owen. the latter being a daughter of Gen. Henry Wisner, a member of the Continental Congress and one of the framers of the Declaration of Independence. He married Erminda, daughter of Jesse and Sally (Owen) Oldfield, of Liberty Corner, Orange County, N. Y. They had one son, Jesse, now of Elmira, N. Y. He married Emily, daughter of Maj. James J. and Huldah (Hudson) Board, of Chester. Orange County, N.Y. They had four children: James Henry, Mary Emily, Minnie (who died in childhood), and Minnie Wadsworth, all born at Liberty Corner. James Henry married Marguerite M., daughter of George and Mary G. Grey, of Port Elgin, Canada; they have had two children, J. Grey and Mary Steven (deceased). Mary Emily married Robert Steven, now of Sisson; she died a few months after her marriage. Minnie Wadsworth married William H. Frost. of Elmira, and has two children, Robert and Emily. Jesse Owen came to Chemung, March 11, 1863, and with his father bought the "Minniedale Farm" and also a large lumber tract. They were both engaged in farming and lumbering for many years. Jesse and his son James H. own the "Minniedale Farm" and are largely engaged in butter dairying for special New York trade. On this farm General Sullivan found 175 acres of corn, which he destroyed when he made his memorable march through the Chemung Valley in 1779. A few of the barn holes where the Indians buried their grain are yet plainly visible. One of the council houses of the Six Nations was located near where the large barn is, a part of which barn was built by Capt. Daniel McDowell before the Indians left, forty two of whom assisted him at the raising. The famous spring at which Captain McDowell and his Indian captors halted to rest, when he was being conveyed as a prisoner to Niagara in 1782, is also on this farm.
(The following biography was Taken from Our County and its people A History of the Valley and County of Chemung by: Ausburn Towner)
Owen, Henry W., was born in Vernon, Sussex County, N. J., on May 1, 1802, and died in Elmira, August 3, 1883. He was a son of Isaac H. and Abigail (Wisner) Owen. the latter being a daughter of Gen. Henry Wisner, a member of the Continental Congress and one of the framers of the Declaration of Independence. He married Erminda, daughter of Jesse and Sally (Owen) Oldfield, of Liberty Corner, Orange County, N. Y. They had one son, Jesse, now of Elmira, N. Y. He married Emily, daughter of Maj. James J. and Huldah (Hudson) Board, of Chester. Orange County, N.Y. They had four children: James Henry, Mary Emily, Minnie (who died in childhood), and Minnie Wadsworth, all born at Liberty Corner. James Henry married Marguerite M., daughter of George and Mary G. Grey, of Port Elgin, Canada; they have had two children, J. Grey and Mary Steven (deceased). Mary Emily married Robert Steven, now of Sisson; she died a few months after her marriage. Minnie Wadsworth married William H. Frost. of Elmira, and has two children, Robert and Emily. Jesse Owen came to Chemung, March 11, 1863, and with his father bought the "Minniedale Farm" and also a large lumber tract. They were both engaged in farming and lumbering for many years. Jesse and his son James H. own the "Minniedale Farm" and are largely engaged in butter dairying for special New York trade. On this farm General Sullivan found 175 acres of corn, which he destroyed when he made his memorable march through the Chemung Valley in 1779. A few of the barn holes where the Indians buried their grain are yet plainly visible. One of the council houses of the Six Nations was located near where the large barn is, a part of which barn was built by Capt. Daniel McDowell before the Indians left, forty two of whom assisted him at the raising. The famous spring at which Captain McDowell and his Indian captors halted to rest, when he was being conveyed as a prisoner to Niagara in 1782, is also on this farm.
Owen, Jesse, son of Henry W. Owen was in partnership with his father on the Minniedale Farm in Chemung, NY He came to Chemung in March 11, 1863. Jesse's home was located on the north west corner of Main Street (County Route 60, Old Route 17C) and Wynkoop Creek Rd (formerly Columbia St.). In 2015 the Chemung Speedrome is located on the site. It was a beautiful large home, with several barns and outbuildings. Noted in the 1865 NYS census, Jesse was born in the year 1827. His wife's first name was Emily B. and their children were James H., Mary E., and Minnie (Minie). Another person living with them at the time was Harriet Castleine. It is possible that Harriet was Emily's mother.
Directly Below are pictorial sketches of the Owens Farm and Lumber business along with portraits of Father and Son, Henry and Jesse. As you can see by their property, they were very successful in their endeavors. At a date unknown at this time, Henry and Jesse retired and moved to Elmira, NY leaving the property and businesses to Jesse's son James H. Owen. Henry's house was the house on the right in the panoramic sketch. The house is located on the north east corner of the intersection and remains a private residence today. A beautiful example of a Greek Revival.
Directly Below are pictorial sketches of the Owens Farm and Lumber business along with portraits of Father and Son, Henry and Jesse. As you can see by their property, they were very successful in their endeavors. At a date unknown at this time, Henry and Jesse retired and moved to Elmira, NY leaving the property and businesses to Jesse's son James H. Owen. Henry's house was the house on the right in the panoramic sketch. The house is located on the north east corner of the intersection and remains a private residence today. A beautiful example of a Greek Revival.
Owen, James H., kept the name Minniedale when he took the farm over from his father and grandfather.He owned 350 acres of farmland with a herd of 80 - 100 Jersey Cows. The large dairy barn shown in the upper right hand corner of the sketch above, was located across the road from the large house on the south west corner of the intersection. Today in 2015, a convenience store, Dandy Minimart is located on the site of the grand and huge historic barn. James was instrumental in starting the Chemung Creamery Company in 1898, which lasted until 1914. On September 27, 1895 the grand home formerly owned by James' father Jesse, burned to the ground. Directly below is a newspaper article reporting of the sad news.
March 12, 1900 Star-Gazette, Elmira, NY (Newspapers by Ancestry) (Typed verbatim)
JESSE OWEN
Death of One of Elmira’s Most Highly Esteemed Citizens
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Elmira is called upon to mourn the loss of another of its leading citizens. At 10:45 o’clock Saturday night Jesse Owen, one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of the county, passed away after an illness of only two weeks’ duration. His demise has caused wide-spread sorrow. The deceased was a man who made friends readily and was beloved and admired by all for his many good qualities. His acquaintance was extensive and by both young and old he was universally esteemed. He was the soul of generosity and possessed of high sense of honor, integrity and reliability, which made it a pleasure for any one to deal with him.
In his home life he was particularly happy and was a kind and loving father and a devoted husband. It is in his family that his loss is a heavy blow and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to the afflicted relatives. His death is felt as a personal loss to his legion of friends.
For the past three months the deceased had been gradually failing in health and his condition was observed by friends and relatives with sincere alarm, although few thought his death would follow so soon. He was a man of robust constitution and commanding figure and looked the picture of health. About two weeks ago he contracted a severe cold and was confined to his bed. Since that time he continued to grow worse and his death followed. His demise was due to a general breaking down in health.
The deceased was born June 21, 1826 in the town of Warwick, Orange county, N.Y., and during the ‘50’s engaged in the brokerage and collection agency business as a member of the firm of Thomas Houston & Co., located at the corner of Greenwich and Warren streets. While in New York he was a member of the American Seamen’s Friend and New York Port societies and took an active interest in the distribution of religious printed matter among seamen and assisting in the efforts to better their condition.
In March 1863, he became a resident of Chemung, Chemung county there being successfully engaged with his father in farming and lumbering interests for a number of years. September 1871, he moved to Elmira, locating on West Church street in the home where he resided at the time of his death.
During the past years he has retained his interests in “Minniedale” farm at Chemung, where he spent much of his time at his summer home. He has not been actively engaged in business for the past few years. He always took an active interest in religious matters, being a prominent member and regular attendant of Trinity Episcopal church and devoting much time to that work and also to the Railroad Y. M. C. SA. He was at one time engaged in the railway mail service.
He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. William H. Frost of this city and one son, James H. Owen, of Chemung.
The funeral services will be held at the late residence, No. 410 West Church street. Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, the Rev. George H. McKnight, rector of Trinity church, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Isaac Jennings, pastor the First Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn and will be private.
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JESSE OWEN
Death of One of Elmira’s Most Highly Esteemed Citizens
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Elmira is called upon to mourn the loss of another of its leading citizens. At 10:45 o’clock Saturday night Jesse Owen, one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of the county, passed away after an illness of only two weeks’ duration. His demise has caused wide-spread sorrow. The deceased was a man who made friends readily and was beloved and admired by all for his many good qualities. His acquaintance was extensive and by both young and old he was universally esteemed. He was the soul of generosity and possessed of high sense of honor, integrity and reliability, which made it a pleasure for any one to deal with him.
In his home life he was particularly happy and was a kind and loving father and a devoted husband. It is in his family that his loss is a heavy blow and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to the afflicted relatives. His death is felt as a personal loss to his legion of friends.
For the past three months the deceased had been gradually failing in health and his condition was observed by friends and relatives with sincere alarm, although few thought his death would follow so soon. He was a man of robust constitution and commanding figure and looked the picture of health. About two weeks ago he contracted a severe cold and was confined to his bed. Since that time he continued to grow worse and his death followed. His demise was due to a general breaking down in health.
The deceased was born June 21, 1826 in the town of Warwick, Orange county, N.Y., and during the ‘50’s engaged in the brokerage and collection agency business as a member of the firm of Thomas Houston & Co., located at the corner of Greenwich and Warren streets. While in New York he was a member of the American Seamen’s Friend and New York Port societies and took an active interest in the distribution of religious printed matter among seamen and assisting in the efforts to better their condition.
In March 1863, he became a resident of Chemung, Chemung county there being successfully engaged with his father in farming and lumbering interests for a number of years. September 1871, he moved to Elmira, locating on West Church street in the home where he resided at the time of his death.
During the past years he has retained his interests in “Minniedale” farm at Chemung, where he spent much of his time at his summer home. He has not been actively engaged in business for the past few years. He always took an active interest in religious matters, being a prominent member and regular attendant of Trinity Episcopal church and devoting much time to that work and also to the Railroad Y. M. C. SA. He was at one time engaged in the railway mail service.
He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. William H. Frost of this city and one son, James H. Owen, of Chemung.
The funeral services will be held at the late residence, No. 410 West Church street. Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, the Rev. George H. McKnight, rector of Trinity church, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Isaac Jennings, pastor the First Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn and will be private.
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In the background is the large white barn that was part of Minidale. The convenience store, Dandy Minimart is currently located where this barn sat. The House in the foreground is still there today, brown in color.(Known as the old McDowell Place). Today, a road runs between the properties of the barn and house and is Rt 427 where the I-86 interchange is for Chemung. The road also connects the southside of the river with the town. Notice too the Trolley line on the dirt road. 1914