Paul R. Owens Papers, 1939, 1956, and undated
Collection Overview
Title: Paul R. Owens Papers, 1939, 1956, and undated
Predominant Dates:1939
ID: OGLMC1630
Primary Creator: Mrs. Paul R. Owens
Extent: 0.25 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 03/12/2014
Subjects: Grand Forks - Business
Languages: English
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Collection Historical Note
Paul Raymond Owens was born 3 October 1901 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, to Millard and Tillie Owens. He attended Penn State College where he met his future wife, Mary Emiline Allen, daughter of Charles Allen and Sarah Carothers, early settlers of Grand Forks. They were married 10 August 1925 in Grand Forks and first lived in Cambridge, Ohio, where Paul worked for a nurseryman. After a short time, they moved to North Dakota where their three children were born. In the 1930s, Owens worked for Wyman Sheppard, a nurseryman, and later for the city parks department. In 1939, he applied his knowledge and experience in the nursery business and opened Paul Owens Floral Company. He purchased land along Fifth Avenue to grow plants, but the recession of the 1950s caused Owens to sell this land, though the shop continued to be a success.
Owens was active in church and civic affairs as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, and the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he and his wife belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron and Matron. In 1967, Owens sold his business and the family moved to Deming, New Mexico. He died there in March 1975.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Minnesota Historical Society
Acquisition Method: Transfer (2014-3251)
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Paul R. Owens Papers. OGLMC 1630. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Processing Information: Processed by Nichole Kenney, Special Collections graduate student assistant, in 2017
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Personal Correspondence, 1939 and 1956
5 letters to daughter, Sara, from her mother in 1939
1 letter from Annabelle Allen to Mary Owens in 1956
1 postcard
Envelope from Paul Owens Floral Co.
Biography by Diane Owens in 1999
- Folder 2: Photographs, undated
OGLMC 1630-1: Three children next to a downed tree - two of the children are probably Sara Madge and Paul Robert Owens
OGLMC 1630-2: Probably son Paul Robert with his father Paul Owens in a field of flowers
OGLMC 1630-3: Probably Paul Robert Owens
OGLMC 1630-4: Halloween picture of Sara Madge and Paul Robert Owens
OGLMC 1630-5: Girls at Berea from seven mountain states
OGLMC 1630-6: Outdoor photograph of five girls, possibly international students or visitors
- Folder 3: White Ribbon Bulletin, September 1939
- Newspaper of the North Dakota Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Volume 42, Issue 7, published in Casselton, ND.
- Folder 1: Personal Correspondence, 1939 and 1956