Grand River Township – Mastin V. Owen, farmer and stock raiser, is the youngest of a family consisting of three boys and two girls, children of Martin B. and Jane (Haggard) Owen, who were natives of Kentucky, and who resided for a time in Davis County, where Martin was also born. When about thirteen years of age he came with his parents to Bates County, Missouri, here being reared and educated. He enlisted in June, 1861, in Captain Moore’s company, and was attached to General Shelby’s brigade. He was in the battles of Lone Jack, Pea Ridge, Helena and Lexington, but left the army previous to the close of the war. After the war he went to Texas and handled stock for several months. Returning to Missouri he remained but a short time, and then visited Kentucky, where he farmed for nearly two years. Coming back to Bates County, he has resided here ever since. He lives on section 24 and has a farm of 800 acres bordering on Grand River. He has built a fine country residence, quite recently, at a cost of $2,000. His farm is well improved and well adapted to stock raising, to which he devotes considerable attention. He has about 100 head of cattle at present and about the same number of hogs, with over 300 sheep of the Cotswold breed. Mr. Owen was married, December 27, 1880, to Miss Emma D. Porter, daughter of D.C. Porter. She was born in Kansas, December 25, 1862. They are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Owen is recognized as a leading business man by his neighbors, and has been twice elected township trustee.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)