Paul R. Owens Papers

Collection — Container: One box

Identifier: OGLMC-1630

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence, primarily from Mrs. Owens to her young daughter Sara Madge in 1939. In addition, there are some photographs, four of which are likely of the Owens' children. Lastly, there is an issue of the White Ribbon Bulletin from September 1939. This periodical, published in Casselton, North Dakota, was advertized as the official paper of the North Dakota Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

Dates

created: 1939, 1956, and undated
Other: Majority of material found in 1939
Other: Date acquired: 03/12/2014

Creator

Mrs. Paul R. Owens (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

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Paul Raymond Owens was born 3 October 1901 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, to Millard and Tillie Owens. He attended Penn State College where he met his future wife, Mary Emiline Allen, daughter of Charles Allen and Sarah Carothers, early settlers of Grand Forks. They were married 10 August 1925 in Grand Forks and first lived in Cambridge, Ohio, where Paul worked for a nurseryman. After a short time, they moved to North Dakota where their three children were born. In the 1930s, Owens worked for Wyman Sheppard, a nurseryman, and later for the city parks department. In 1939, he applied his knowledge and experience in the nursery business and opened Paul Owens Floral Company. He purchased land along Fifth Avenue to grow plants, but the recession of the 1950s caused Owens to sell this land, though the shop continued to be a success. Owens was active in church and civic affairs as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, and the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he and his wife belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron and Matron. In 1967, Owens sold his business and the family moved to Deming, New Mexico. He died there in March 1975.

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