Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/176

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

OWEN


OWEN


was prepared for college. He was graduated from Middleburj' college, Vt., A.B., 1828, A.M., 1831; from Andover Theological seminary in 1831, and was ordained by the presbytery of New York city, Oct. 7, 1831. He was secretary of the Presbyterian Education society, 1831-35; princi- pal of Cornelius institute. New York, 1835-48; professor of Latin and Greek, and vice-principal of the newly-organized Free academy, 1846-66. When the name was changed in 1866 to the Col- lege of the City of New York, he was made vice- president and served 1866-69. The honorary de- gree of D.D. was conferred upon him by the Uni- vei-sity of the City of New York in 1848, and that of LL.D. by Ingliam college in 1850, and by Mid- dlebury in 1864. He was a trustee of Middlebury college, Vt., 1863-69. He is the author of a trans- lation of: Xenojihon's Anabasis (1843); Homers Odyssey (1844); Xenojihon's Cyropcedia (1846); The Works of Tlnicydides (1847); also the Acts of the Apostles in Greek, icitJi a Lexicon (1850); J. Greek Reader (1852), and a Commentary, Critical, Expository, and Practical, on the Gospels (3 vols., 1857-73). He died in New York city, April 18, 1869. OWEN, Joshua Thomas, soldier, was born in Caermartlien, Wales, March 29, 1821; son of David and Jane (Thomas) Owen, who immigrated to the United States in 1830 and settled in Balti- more, Md, He was graduated at Jefferson college, Canonsburg. Pa., in 1845; engaged in teaching; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1852, and in connection with liis brother Robert founded a boys' academy at Ciiestnut Hill, Phila- delphia. He combined the practice of law with the duties of teacher, and was a representative in the Pennsylvania legislature, 1857-59. He was a private in the 1st city troop of Pliiladelphia in 1861; was elected colonel of the 24th Pennsyl- vania volunteers, enlisted for three months' service, and in July organized and became colonel of the 69th Pennsylvania volunteers, organized for two years' service. He served in the Army of the Potomac, holding the right of the 2d brigade. 2d division, 2d corps, and was present at every battle in McClellan's Penin- sula campaign. He was promoted brigadier- general of volunteers for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Glendale, June 30, 1862, and was again with McClellan in the Maryland campaign. September, 1862, where he succeeded Gen. O. O. Howard to the command of the 2d brigade, when Howard succeeded Sedgwick to the command of the 2d division. He commanded the 2d brigade in Howard's division at Fredericks- burg, in Gibbon's division at Chancellorsville, and in Grant's campaign against Richmond, in- cluding the battle of Cold Harbor. He was mus- tered out in 1864, and again took up his profes- sion. He was recorder of deeds of Philadelphia,


1866-71, and in 1871 organized the New York Daily Register which published the official reports of the New York courts in 1873, and was a mem- ber of its editorial staff until shortly before his death. He was married in 1862 to Annie J. Shendon. He died at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 7, 1887.

OWEN, Richard, geologist, was born at Bran- field House, near New Lanark, Scotland, Jan. 6, 1810; son of Robert and Anne Caroline (Dale) Owen, and brother of Robert Dale Owen (q.v.). He studied under private tutors and attended the school of Emanuel Fellenberg at Hofwyl, Swit- zerland, three years, and the lectures of Dr. An- drew Ure at the Andersonian Institution, Scot- land. He came to the United States with his father in 1824; settled at New Harmony, Ind., whei'e his father founded a community and he engaged in teaching the settlers. He was next in business in Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterward en- gaged in the management of a stock farm at New Harmony. He was married to Annie, daughter of Joseph Neif. On the outbreak of the Mexican war, in 1846, he was commissioned captain in the 16th U.S. infantry, and served during the greater part of the war. With his brother David he made a geological sur- vey of Minnesota, exploring in pei'son the north shore of Lake Superior in 1849, and was professor of natural sciences in the West- ern Military institute of Kentucky, 1849-54. In 1854 the school was removed to Tyree Springs, Teun., and in April, 1855, became the literary de- partment of the University of Nashville, with which department he was connected, 1855-59. He also shared the military training of the students with Bushrod R. Jolinson (q.v.). He was assist- ant geologist and geologist on the Indiana sur- vey, 1859-60; was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 15th Indiana volunteers in 1861, and served in western Virginia, commanding a brigade under Gen. A. J. Smith. He recruited and commanded the 60th Indiana regiment and was taken pris- oner at Munfordville, Sept. 17, 1862. He after- ward served with Generals Sherman and Banks in the Red River exi^edition, resigning in 1863. He was professor of natural philosophj' and cliemistry in Indiana university, 1863-67; of science and chemistry, 1867-79, and also gave instruction in geology, mineralogy, Frencli and German. He made a survey of the mineral re- sources of New Mexico and Arizona; a geological surve}' of parts of North Carolina and of East Ten- nessee, while at Indiana university, and after his resignation, researches in terrestrial magnetism, and its effect on the formation of land on our globe. He received the degree M.D. from Nash- ville Medical college in 1858 and LL.D. from Wabash college in 1871. He contributed to sci-