Sidney Marcus Owen | |
|---|---|
 A campaign poster featuring Owen, 1890 | |
| Born | August 11, 1838 |
| Died | February 2, 1910 (aged 71) |
| Burial place | Lakewood Cemetery |
| Alma mater | Oberlin College |
| Political party | Populist Party |
| Other political affiliations | Farmer's Alliance |
| Spouse | Helen A. Feag (M. 1860) |
| Children | Jessie, Harry |
| Parents |
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Sidney Marcus Owen (sometimes 'Marquis') (August 11, 1838 - February 2, 1910) was an American politician active in Minnesota in the 19th century.
He was born in Norwich, Ohio. He attended Oberlin College. In 1864, during the American Civil War, he would join the 55th Ohio Infantry Regiment. He left the army with a rank of 1st Lieutenant. [1]
Owen moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1885. He was editor of the agricultural journal Farm, Stock and Home. In 1890, the Farmer's Alliance, a powerful force in Minnesotan politics, voted to run their own candidates in the upcoming elections. After Knute Nelson showed no interest, Owen became the nominee. He placed third with 24.29% of the vote. In 1894 he would run again, for the Populist Party, coming in second place with 29.67% of the vote. In 1896, he narrowly lost the election for Minnesota's 5th district to Loren Fletcher, gaining 45.52% of the vote. [1]
He would later be a member of the University of Minnesota board of regents, from 1893 to 1901 and was re-appointed by John Albert Johnson in 1905 for a term meant to last until 1913. [2] [3] He died on February 2, 1910, and was buried at Lakewood Cemetery.
He has been credited with the later success of progressive movements in Minnesota, such as the electoral victory of John Lind in 1898, and later the Farmer-Labor Party. [4] Owen Hall in the University of Minnesota Crookston is named after him. [5]