Photographs and Memories

By Thomas Owens

Dr. Charles Keeley Owen
(1st Lt. 1943 Medical Field Service School Carlisle Barracks, PA)

When folks were asked to send photographs, mementos etc., for the library collection. I did send a great deal into the Library. One item of note was a 1902 Postcard from Lee of the old High school sent to my grand-mother in Pittsfield from her Mother "Elizabeth Sullivan" (Blowe). She was wishing her daughter the best etc., as she recently married my grandfather (Frank James Owen) in June 1902. The card had been sent to the home my grandfather built at 92 Elm St. "My Great Grandmother (Elizabeth Sullivan Blowe) ran the family Blacksmith shop in Lee after her husband (Frank Blowe) died in 1901. The blacksmith shop was located where "today", Joe's dinner sits on hwy 20 just before the bridge leaving Lee heading North towards Pittsfield.

Old Francis Owen 1794--1884, died in Lee, Had three sons; Patrick had farms & real estate and operated the Owen's Store (Clothing etc.,) on Lee's Main street; Edward worked in the paper mills and died in Holyoke; Francis Jr. served in the Civil War and died outside Vicksburg in 1863.

Frank James Owen 1872-1935 / Elizabeth Theresa Blowe 1880-1959: lots on Frank in Berkshire Eagle newspaper files. His mother was Elizabeth Keeley who died in 1879. He was raised by James & Catherine Keeley in Lee. Of note: James Keeley arrived in the U.S. with his two brothers (Edward & John) after their ship went down off the coast of New Hampshire. They were all rescued by different parties and each thought the others were drowned. They were reunited in the 1890's via Boston papers looking for lost family. John in Boston, Edward in Peoria, Illinois and James in Lee. James served in the U. S. Navy in Civil War 1863--1867 and was with the Atlantic Sqrd. at the Battle of Mobile Bay & Fort Morgan. He died as a Civil War Pensioner in Lee in 1905.

My parents: Dr. Charles Keeley Owen 1907--1960 & Mildred Elizabeth Milne 1910--1980.