James Clark Owens (1832-1901)
| James Clark Owens (1832-1901) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Father | James Clark Owens |
| Mother | Abigail Cordelia Burr |
| Wife | Lucretia Proctor Robison |
| Children | James Clark Owens Marian Alfred Owens Lucretia Adelpha Owens Clarence Edward Owens Elsie Abagail Owens Joseph Alonzo Owens Mary Amelia Owens John Owens Lillis Alvira Owens Zina Owens Franklin Horace Owens Adelia Owens |
James Clark Owens Jr
Biography
As a young boy, James Clark Owens Jr. knew the prophet Joseph Smith and loved him. He saw Joseph Smith play ball and wrestle with the boys. Then when the Prophet was sent to jail, James went with his mother to see him and James talked to the Prophet through the bars of the jail. Also, after the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, James attended the conference when Sidney Rigdon claimed to be the rightful leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. James saw the Mantle of the Prophet Joseph Smith fall on Brigham Young as Brigham arose to speak and appeared like the Prophet Joseph in voice, gestures, and spirit. James said that he knew Brigham Young was the chosen one to lead the church. James was baptized in 1843 in Hancock County, Illinois by Abram Hansaker. James, with his family and others fled from persecution from the cities of Liberty, Far West, and Nauvoo. After being forced from Nauvoo, the family moved to Mt. Pisgah and James' father went looking for work. The family was later informed that James Sr. had frozen to death. This left fourteen year old James to care for his mother; four of his brothers and sisters had died around the time James was born. James worked hard to support his mother and prepare to cross the plains to the West. Prior to their crossing the pains, Julia, James' sister, lost her husband and was left to care for her two small children and thus moved back with her mother. James helped his mother, his sister, Julia, and her two small children cross the plains in a covered wagon in the spring of 1852 in the company of Captain Hodges.
