A Long Time Ago: Owen Family

Now me and my bud had been pitchin’ down hay 

To feed the cows for a night and a day 

We’d put down a lot, and we had a reason 

It was late in December, and the holiday season. 

We headed for home, and the snow it was deep 

Real tough for the horses, too deep for a Jeep. 

We was makin’ it fine, not too far to go 

When we found this here sleigh, stuck in the snow. 

It’s a real fancy rig, loaded plum full of stuff. 

And with night commin’ on it was gonta be tuff. 

The guy in the red suit said his chargers had flown, 

And left him a’ sittin’ out there in the snow. 

We shook out our ropes, and tied onto the sled 

We knew where to find him a good soft, warm bed. 

We took care of the horses, then helped him unload. 

We left the sleigh there, headed out for the road. 

We got in out bunks, and we sure slept tight. 

We didn’t wake up ‘till it plum turned daylight. 

The stranger had gone, and so was the sled. 

But the boxes and bags was all stacked on the bed. 

 He left us a note sayin’ thanks for the lift. 

If we’d look in the boxes, we’d all find a gift. 

My brother and me, we each had a surprise 

And the things for our sisters sure opened their eyes. 

There was pearls for our mom, and a hat for our dad. 

It turned out to be, the best Christmas we’d had. 

Sometimes we’re just guessin’ about how things will go. 

But we’re glad we helped Santa, when he was stuck in the snow. 

 (Authored by George Melvin Owen [1916-1999) 

 Melvin was one of eight children born to Charles and Geneva (Schenck) Owen. Charles and Geneva moved from Wyoming in 1910 and leased the newly bought 600 acre Groth Ranch, originally owned by R.R. McLeod, 2 miles south of Philipsburg. He traveled to Chicago to buy 100 head of cattle and always raised exceptional ones under the name Treasure State Herefords. Charles was a member of the District School Board but resigned when his youngest daughter Bernice (1906-2001) began teaching school as he did not want a conflict of interest to be assumed. Bernice never married. 

I am privileged to have in my possession from the courtesy of Charles grandson Don Scott, a booklet written by Naomi where she shares these facts to her grandchildren: Charles loved tea and working in his blacksmith shop. He loved to dance and could hitch-kick the top of a doorway! He wished to purchase the ranch and always got the response from Mr. Groth and later Mrs. Groth “Maybe next year”. He came to the conclusion “Next year” could be a long way off and in 1937 had been looking at a ranch in Bozeman with Lawrence Scott when he became ill. A letter received after Charles died described him as “Genuine all the way through. Never was there any pretense, any false front and false flattery in his makeup. …Even though his life was cut all too short, when measured in the comfort and happiness he had bestowed, it was many times longer and more useful than most of us will live.” by Editor of the American Hereford Journal in Kansas City. 

When Charles died in 1937, Ellery (1903-1969) and Melvin continued the ranch operation. There is an un-named infant daughter of C.L. Owen buried in Block 13, Lot 16, Grave 6 without a headstone. The rest of the family is buried in Block 28. 

Ellery married Genevieve Brew (1906-1969) on July 7, 1938 and their only child Arnold was born in 1939. After returning from the War, and resuming operations at the ranch, Ellery worked for the Forest Service and the Soil Conservation Department for several years and for Taylor and Knapp from 1958 to 1967. He died of ALS also known as Lou Gerhig’s Disease. Gen died of Cancer in 1969. They are both buried in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

                                   Photo Copied from the Booklet written by Naomi Owen Collins

Melvin, thirteen years younger than Ellery, married Ida Berry on November 1, 1942 and they had seven children: Carma, Ted, Kathleen, Cheryl, Charles, Douglas and Judy. I do not find any Montana information about Melvin after his marriage (in Arizona). He was living in Arizona when he died. 

The other daughters married as follows: Clella (1907-1975) to J.L. Scott; Mary (1910-1989) to John Truzzolina; Lois (1912-2004) to George “Buster” Metcalf; and Naomi (1920- 2003) to John (Jack) Collins. I know that in the forties and fifties, Jack Truzzolino (brother-in-law), and nephews Bob Metcalf, Owen and Don Scott worked on the ranch helping Ellery, Gen and Arnold with the haying.