Hiram Owen

Hiram Owen represents one of the first Euro-American settlers of Bronson, the village that became Kalamazoo. Born in Vermont around 1804 and moving to Michigan Territory in the 1830s, Owen left few historical records beyond a handful of newspaper articles, land records, and a probate inventory. When he died in late 1838, Owen left behind a legacy as a local farmer, land investor, and an active member of his community.

Hiram Owen’s history is tied to the westward movement of New Englanders searching for cheap land. A farmer by trade, Owen came to own a considerable amount of it. He set aside 8 acres for oats, 4 acres for corn, and 3 ¾ acres for various crops including potatoes and beans. Owen also brought or purchased many farming tools: a plow, pitchfork, a shovel, and three hoes. In addition to growing crops, Owen raised livestock. At the time of his death his estate included 15 hogs. While the hogs represented an independent livestock to raise for meat, Owen also dabbled in cattle. These animals were much needier than hogs, but they fetched a greater price at the market. Appraisers estimated that Owen's cow had a value of $20 compared to $8 a pig. Not only was Hiram Owen a moderately successful farmer, he was also an investor in Kalamazoo land. [1]

Being an early settler of the village of Bronson, Owen purchased a considerable amount of land from the government office. One of the properties was the S ½ of the NE ¼ of Section 5. For reference, his plot of land was just south of modern G Ave and just east of Cypress Creek Lane (42° 20 '07"N and 85° 36' 19"W). It is still used for farming as of 2024. Hiram also purchased the S ½ of section 18 and the SW ¼ of section 17 in 1820 on the eastern edge of the county and totaling 100 acres (42° 17 '31"N and 85° 38' 00"W). Westland Meadows Apartments mark that space in 2024. His land in section 17 was roughly located under the many apartment complexes on North Kendall Ave (42° 17 '26"N and 85° 37' 33"W). Probate records did not include Owen's land in sections 17 and 18, indicating that he had sold this property before his death.  He had also purchased the E ½ of the SE ¼ of section 21 along with the NW ¼ of the SE ¼ of section 21. This land bordered the western edge of Kalamazoo's first cemetery. The final piece of property that Hiram purchased was the NE ¼ of the NE ¼ of section 28 (42° 16 '21"N and 85° 35' 27"W). This piece of land that would eventually become the WWMT-TV station.[2]

Hiram Owen served as an active member of his growing community. He married Melissa Beardsley of Monroe, Connecticut, in 1836.  Perhaps they met through a mutual acquaintance or through letters. As a neighbor, he held fellow settlers responsible for the livestock. Owen posted ads for animals that were wandering on his property including a red steer in January 1837, and a black colt in December of the same year. In 1838, he ran for township road commissioner in the spring election of 1838 as a member of the anti-Jacksonian Whig party. The dangers of settler life caught up with Owen shortly after the election. He died of an unspecified disease in the summer of 1838—not long after taking the oath of office.[3]

Owen represents a stream of New England settlers in Michigan during the 1830s. He invested in land, took up the occupation of farming, and became an active member of the community. He died young, and, like other settlers of a similar fate, he became largely forgotten by the historical record.

Notes

1. Hiram Owen, Probate Journal, Vol. 35, A-285 Kalamazoo County Probate Court, RG 94-309, Zhang Legacy Collections Center, Western Michigan University.

2. Hiram Owen. Probate Journal, Vol. 35, A-285 Kalamazoo County Probate Court, RG 94-309, Zhang Legacy Collections Center, Western Michigan University; U.S. Geological survey, 1916 map of Kalamazoo, 1916. 1:625000, “Past Maps”, https://pastmaps.com/map/kalamazoo-kalamazoo-county-mi-usgs-topo-1916-p1956, Accessed 9/27/2024

[3] Lorraine Cook, ed., The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55 (Genealogical Publishing Co.; Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 1994-2002), Vol. 25; digital image, Ancestry.com; “Died,” Kalamazoo Gazette, August 11, 1838; “Strayed,” Kalamazoo Gazette, January 23, 1838; “Stray,” Kalamazoo Gazette, January 13, 1838; “Election Results,” Kalamazoo Gazette, March 31, 1838; Hiram Owen (Kalamazoo, Michigan), homestead patent nos. 15921, 7279; Hiram Owen's oath of office, General Township Records, Township Minutes, 1832-1850, Box 1, Kalamazoo Charter Township, A-3631, Zhang Legacy Collections Center, Western Michigan University.