OWEN, ROBERT DALE, a Representative from Indiana; born in Glasgow, Scotland, November 7, 1801;
studied under private teachers and attended the Emanuel von Fellenberg School at Hofwyl, near Berne,
Switzerland, 1820-1823; immigrated to the United States in 1825 with his parents, who settled in
Posey County, Ind.; aided his father in the establishment of the social community of New Harmony,
Ind., and on the failure of that project he returned to Europe for further study; returned to the United
States in 1827 and became a citizen; was the founder and editor of the Free Enquirer, published in
New York, 1828-1832; returned to New Harmony in 1832; member of the State house of
representatives 1835-1838; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1838 to the Twenty-sixth Congress
and in 1840 to the Twenty-seventh Congress; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-eighth and
Twenty-ninth Congresses (March 4, 1843-March 3, 1847); chairman, Committee on Roads and
Canals (Twenty-eighth Congress); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1846 to the Thirtieth
Congress; member of the State constitutional convention in 1850; member of the State house of
representatives in 1851; appointed by President Franklin Pierce as Chargé d'Affaires to the Two
Sicilies May 24, 1853, and Minister Resident June 29, 1854, serving until September 20, 1858;
devoted the remainder of his life to writing on social problems; died at his summer home ``Cosy
Cove,'' at Crosbyside, on Lake George, N.Y., June 24, 1877; interment in the Village Cemetery at
Lake George, Warren County, N.Y.
