Near Urbana in Champaign County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Owen

First Settler in Mad River Township, Champaign County, Ohio

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 29, 2015

1. William Owen Marker

close up, showing text

Inscription. 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

Erected 2005 by Mad River Township Trustees Westville United Methodist Church Champaign County Bicentennial Historical Marker Committee The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 17-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.

Location. 40° 5.068′ N, 83° 50.223′ W. Marker is

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near Urbana, Ohio, in Champaign County. Marker is on Upper Valley Pike (Ohio Route 560), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2100 S State Route 560, Urbana OH 43078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Harvey Haddix (approx. 1.8 miles away); Draining Wetlands (approx. 2.8 miles away); Green Invaders (approx. 2.9 miles away); In Memory and with Appreciation (approx. 3 miles away); Cedar Bog (approx. 3 miles away); Cedar Bog Nature Preserve (approx. 3.1 miles away); Xue, Bian, and Sun Memorial (approx. 4.1 miles away); Bailey and Barclay Halls / Johnny Appleseed (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbana.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 25, 2015

2. William Owen Marker

detail of map

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 29, 2015

3. William Owen Marker

full view of marker

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 29, 2015

4. William Owen Marker

marker can be seen at a distance. Looking south on Upper Valley Pike, towards Old Troy Pike

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 29, 2015

5. William Owen Marker

looking west towards farm, NE ¼ S15 T4 R11

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 29, 2015

6. William Owen Marker

road sign

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 25, 2015

7. William Owen Marker

1915 USGS topo St Paris 16 SE, marker is at upper right leg of the letter "V"; house/cabin at upper left of "V" North East quarter of section 15

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,093 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 25, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.