K. D. OWEN, a native of the county in which he yet resides, and son of John
C. and Elizabeth (Dye) Owen, was born September 29, 1839.  John C. Owen 
was
one of the pioneer blacksmiths of Lawrence County, and plied that vocation
many years.  He died in May, 1875, but his widow yet survives him.  Of 
their
children these are still alive:  K. D., Mary (Williams), John W., Almira,
George K., Eliza (Glover) and Frank.  The eldest of these, K. D., has always
made his home in his native county, and is one of Bedford's leading
merchants.  After receiving a fair education in youth he began the
blacksmith's trade, following that five years in Bedford, and one year at
Springville, but later he began clerking in a dry goods store at Bedford.
About one year later he embarked in business with an uncle at Mitchell,
which was discontinued about a year later, Mr. Owen returning to Bedford 
and
clerking until the fall of 1860.  In September of that year Anna A. Burton
became his wife, and Wallace I., Carrie and Charles A. are the names of
their children.  Until 1870 Mr. Owen was engaged in farming and working at
the blacksmith trade;  then recommenced clerking, but in August, 1872, in
company with V. V. Williams and John W. Owen embarked in the grocery 
and
provision trade in Bedford.  One year later Col. Williams retired from the
firm, since when K. D. Owen & Co. have continued the trade, and from  a
small beginning have increased in prosperity until they now own their brick
store building and about $4,000 worth of groceries, provisions, wooden,
willow, glass and queensware.  In 1872 they began the delivery system 
which
compelled their competitors to adopt the same plan.


Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn  "ivie@tima.com"