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Cassandra Elizabeth “Cassie” Ownbey (1839-1908) was the oldest daughter of Canada and Lucinda (Walker) Ownbey. She was the older sister of Ben Ownbey, founder and owner of Ownbey Lake, which we have just discussed in previous episodes. Cassie’s family moved from Macon County, Mo., to pre-Adair County in the spring of 1838. Cassie was born the next February and was believed to be the first white female child born in what would become Adair County.

As mentioned in our previous episode, one of the largest and most notable of events ever held at Ownbey Lake occurred on July 4, 1924. Not only was Ownbey Lake deceived into believing they were holding a good event, but the City of Kirksville was also deceived. And, we dare say, most of the USA was also tricked in the 1920s by the resurgence of the organization known as the Ku Klux Klan into believing they had changed from their old ways of the post-Civil War era.

Ben Ownbey first introduced his lake to the public in 1898, a place he specifically designed as a recreation center. Many doubted its usefulness or success, but Ben proved them very wrong. The lake of eight acres and the park of 40 acres could not have been more welcomed into the community. Ben, his wife, Mary, and their five children lived on the remaining acres of the Ownbey property and kept a close eye on all the activities.

Benjamin Franklin “Ben” Ownbey (1846-1927) was the 7th of 11 children born to Canada and Lucinda (Walker) Ownbey. Ben was born after his parents moved from Macon County, Mo., to just south of Kirksville. Ben spent his entire life here except for the time he served in the Civil War.