OWENS, Bernard Jonathan

Bernard Jonathan OWENS

age 3 yrs 6 months

This photo of Bernard Jonathan OWENS was located in California at the Pomona Antique Mall, in February of this year.

The photographer's stamp on the front mat says "H.S. Green, Middleboro, Mass."

On the back are the hand-written words "Bernard Jonathan Owens, age 3 yrs, 6 mos." Based on clothing, hairstyle, and look of the physical photo, my best guess for a time period is early in the decade of the 1910's. That would put the child's birthyear at around 1910.

Using Ancestry.com I quickly found a family tree that contains this individual. Bernard Owens was born 20 May 1909 in Middleboro Massachusetts to parents Albert R Owens (son of Willilam Owens and Flora Roberts), a teamster, and Maud Alice Roberts (daughter of Jonathan Roberts and Helen Curtis). Both parents were born in Maine.

1910 Federal Census > Massachusetts > Plymouth > Middleboro > Wareham Street
OWENS, Albert R., head, 33, born in Maine, teamster for trucking company
OWENS, Maude A., wife, 30, Maine, no occupation
OWENS, Faye R., son, 11, Maine
OWENS, Doris G., daughter, 9, Maine
OWENS, Phyllis F., daughter, 2, Massachusetts
OWENS, Bernard J., son, 11mo, Massachusetts

The 1920 Census is much the same, except that the family has moved to Benton Street, and 5-yr-old son Kendrick William has been added to the family. 21-yr-old son Faye Richard Owen still lives at home but works as a salesman at a notions store.

In 1930, the family lives on Pierce Street. Father Albert owns his own trucking business. All of the older children have left home. Only 21-yr-old Bernard and 15-yr-old Kendrick remain. Bernard works as a clerk in a variety store.

Also in 1930, Bernard married Madeleine Augusta Duncklee. Their home in 1935 was Boston Mass.

But in 1940 the Census finds him in Los Angeles CA. His occupation is "truck driver for moving company." His wife is given as Elinor ___, who is 22 and says she was married at age 20 (ie. 1938).

In October, 1943, Bernard enlisted in the Army in Providence Rhode Island. He states his highest level of education was grammar school, his occupation is "driver", and that his marital status is "single, with dependents."

His Mason membership card states that he was in the trucking business, and was a member of the May Flower Lodge in Middleboro.

Bernard died 6 July of 1979, in Carver, Massachusetts, at the age of 70.