David Dale Owen

David Dale Owen
David Dale Owen
Born	24 June 1807 New Lanark, South Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died	13 November 1860 (aged 53) New Harmony, Posey County, Indiana
Occupation	Geologist
Religion	[[]]
Spouse(s)	Caroline Charlotte Neef
Children	Col. Alfred Dale Owen (1841) William Herschel Owen (1847) Nina Dale Owen (1849) Anna Owen
Parent(s)	Robert Owen and Caroline Dale

David Dale Owen

David Dale Owen (1807–1860) was a prominent American geologist. He conducted the first geological surveys of Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.^[1][2]

David Dale was the third son of Robert Owen, a Welsh reformer who moved to the United States and established a social experiment at New Harmony, Indiana, where David Dale also lived. It is likely that David Dale became interested in geology because of his father's partnership with geologist William Maclure. His first geological work was as an assistant mapping the geology of Tennessee, in 1836. He was appointed the first geologist for the State of Indiana (1837–39). He led surveys of the Upper Midwest as a U.S. geologist in 1847-1850, and worked as the State Geologist of Kentucky in 1854–57; he was appointed State Geologist of Arkansas in 1857, continuing as the Kentucky geologist without pay. He returned to Indiana as state geologist in 1859–60.^[3]

Owen died November 13, 1860, at the age of 53.

While in Arkansas, Owen drew the first known picture of a natural rock formation in Natural Steps, Arkansas.

Drawn in 1859 by David Dale Owen of the Natural Steps

Ancestry

Ancestors of David Dale Owen

2. Robert Owen (1771–1858)                                         1. David Dale Owen (1807–1860)                                               6. David Dale (1739–1806)                                   3. Anna Carolina Dale[4]                                         56. John Campbell, 1st Earl of Breadalbane and Holland (1635–1716)               28. Colin Campbell (c. 1679 – 1708)                       57. Mary Campbell (died 1691) (d/o Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll)               14. John Campbell of Jura (John of the Bank) (c. 1703 – 1777)[5]                             29. Grizelda Douglas                       7. Anne Carolina Campbell (1753–1803)                                   30. James Campbell of Tofts and St. Germain                       15. Ann Caroline Campbell (c. 1728 – 1800)

References

1. Brief biography of David Dale Owen
2. Owen, David D. (1852). Report of a Geological Survey of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota; and Incidentally of a Portion of Nebraska Territory, Made under Instructions from the United States Treasury Department. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo.
3. Indiana Geological Survey History
4. MacFarlane Clan & Families Genealogy: Pedigree for Anna Carolina Dale
5. Biography of John Campbell