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FRANK V. OWEN.  Achieving an honorable record in the legal profession and as a public servant, Frank V. Owen, of Mt. Vernon, is esteemed for the many qualities that go to make up the inherent and finer attributes of head and heart of the refined gentleman.  He is regarded by all classes as one of Kno county's project that means prosperity and growth of the locality honored by his residence, and cherishing a deep interest not only in material and civic affairs, but also in educational and moral matters.      Mr. Owen is the scion of a sterling old pioneer family of this county, and he was born in Middlebury township, Knox county, Ohio, in 1857.  He is the son of Gilbert R. and Elizabeth (Green) Owen, the former being of New England stock, his father, Warren Owen, having come from Vermont to Ohio among the early pioneers, settling in what is now Middlebury township, Knox county, when that locality was almost uninhabited and was an almost interminable forest, the abode of Indians and abundant wild game of all kinds.  Here he built a cabin and began clearing and improving a farm, which in due course of time ranked among the best in the township, Mr. Owen becoming one of the leading farmers of his time and a prominent citizen in the affairs of the county.  His death occurred in Delaware county, this stale, at the advanced age of ninety-four years.  On the old family homestead in Middlebury township, this county, Gilbert R. Owen, father of Frank V., of this review, was born, reared and educated and there spent his entire life, engaged in farming, becoming well established through his industry and honesty, being a highly respected citizen.  His death occurred in 1863, in the prime of young manhood, being only thirty-eight years old.  His wife, Elizabeth Green, was the daughter of Benjamin Green, who came to Ohio from Baltimore, Maryland, and he died in Perry township, Morrow county, where he was successfully engaged in farming.      The son, Frank V. Owen, spent his youth on the farm, assisting in the ordinary duties about the place and he attended the district schools in that vicinity.  Early in life he was seized with an ambition to become a lawyer and he began bending every effort in that direction, finally entering the law office of Col. William C. Cooper & Moore as a student and he was admitted to the bar in 1884, since which time he has practiced at Mt. Vernon.  Always a student, he has continually added to his knowledge of the law and has been very successful in the practice.  His recognized ability, his diligence and faithfulness to every trust reposed in him have brought him a clientele of the highest character and he has grown to be recognized as one of the foremost lawyers of this section of the state.  Mr. Owen is a man of intense energy and application.  He goes into court with his case completely in hand.  The labor of preparation is not considered.  Everything depends on work and study—the study of men as well as books.  In council he is inquisitive, exacting and exhaustive, wanting to know the truth and the facts.  As an advocate he is earnest, honest and resolute, persuasive, but seldom drawing upon his powers of forensic oratory when the plain, straightforward facts are preferable in presenting his argument.  He is industrious and untiring in his profession and in his duties as a public servant, and it is a rare thing to find him when not busy and in action.      The domestic life of Mr. Owen began in 1894, when he was united in marriage with Bessie Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Johnson, an influential family of Mt. Vernon.  This union has resulted in the birth of two children, Elizabeth and Isabelle.  By a former marriage Mr. Owen became the father of two sons, Charles and Robert.      Politically, Mr. Owen is a Republican and has always stood for what is best in political and public life. In 1887 he was elected as Knox county’s representative to the state Legislature and while a member was active in se- curing important legislation.  He served on some of the most important committees and was an active and earnest advocate of such measures as most intimately affected the interests of the people.  During his term he introduced and secured the passage of a bill known as the “Owen Sunday Closing Law,” requiring all the saloons of the state to be closed on Sunday, which has since been copied by many other states.  At the expiration of his term he declined a second nomination, preferring to devote his time and talents to his profession and he has since declined all political preferment.  His career in the House stamped him as a man of keen civic insight, rare ability and public spirit and won the hearty approval of his constituents.      Fraternally, Mr. Owen is a member of the Knights of Pythias.  He is a man of recognized ability and professional attainments, is a companionable and congenial gentleman and universally popular. Source: Past and Present of Knox County, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. by B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1912 - Page 756