WESLEY L. OWINGS, a well-to-do farmer and substantial citizen of Hanover township, is of Welsh extraction. His grandfather, Asa Owings, was born in Wales, and on his arrival in America settled near Harmon's Creek, where his life was passed in "tilling the virgin soil." Many were the hardships and trials with which this family contended before the victory was won beyond a question. Twelve children were born to Asa Owings, among whom, and second in the order of birth, was one named Ephraim. Ephraim Owings was born January 6, 1801, in Brooke county, W. Va., in the pioneer cabin on Harmon's creek, this county. His early life was passed on the frontier. On January 12, 1826, he was married to Blanche Swearingen, who was born August 20, 1807, in Brooke county, W. Va., where her father, John Swearingen, after coming from Maryland, settled. The following children were born to Ephraim and Blanche Owings: Virlinder, the widow of Henry Fullerton; Michael, married to James Mahan, and living in De Kalb county, Mo.; John S., a farmer of Hancock county, W. Va.; Asa, an agriculturist of Webster county, Mo.; Frances, deceased wife of John Snedeter; Helen, married to John N. Griffith, of Hanover township; Catherine, widow of Daniel Sturgeon, of Beaver Falls, Penn.; William E., a farmer of De Kalb county, Mo.; Wesley L., of whom further mention is made; George E., deceased in infancy; Minerva and Mary (twins), deceased in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Owings lived in Hancock and Brooke counties, W. Va., where he followed the river in connection with farming until 1864, when he purchased the Henry Bow farm, in Hanover township, this county, where his last years were spent. At length, worn out with the toil of many industrious years, he passed away, July 13,1884, followed by his wife July 14,1891, and they are buried in the Florence cemetery. Mrs. Owings was a member of the Baptist Church of Holliday's Cove, W. Va., in which her husband was an elder and leading member for many years. He was a zealous Democrat, a successful farmer and an excellent citizen. Wesley L. Owings was born July 18, 1846, in Brooke county, W. Va. On the old place, where the father had passed his boyhood, the son grew to maturity. When a young man he came, with his parents, to Washington county, Penn. On February 17, 1870, he married Margaret E. Davis, who was born May 20, 1848, a daughter of William and Margaret (Bruce) Davis, of Hanover township. The children of Wesley and Margaret Owings are as follows: George D., Linnie A., Margaret E., William E., Ralph G. and Elva C., all of whom are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Owings remain on the old place where the father first settled. Like his ancestors for generations, Wesley Owings devotes his attention to the cultivation of his farm and stock raising, in which business he has prospered. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the doctrines embraced in the Democratic party. The family share the respect and esteem of the entire community, and Mrs. Owings is a member of the U. P. Church at Frankfort Springs.

Text taken from page 1163 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1998 by Al Roberts of Grass Valley, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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