Duval County FlArchives Biographies.....Owen, William B. 1855 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 27, 2010, 11:15 am

Source: See below
Author: See below

William B. Owen

    The career of this gentleman is an example of what a man with capability can
do in the world where capable men rise to the highest by doing things. Mr. Owen
also represents what is noblest in life, a man of sincerity, truth, and honor.

    On the 17th day of June, 1855, he was born, and since arriving at manhood
has filled the enviable positions of jurist, banker, financier, capitalist, and
scholar.

    The place of the birth of Wm. B. Owen is Morristown, New Jersey, and there
he spent his childhood and young manhood. The educational facilities at
Morristown being superior, he attended the schools in that town, and Mendham,
and received a finishing course at Princeton University, where he would have
graduated in the higher branches of learning had not his health failed at the
important hour, and he was forced to discontinue his studies. Later, however, he
received the A. M. degree.

    The great grandfather of Wm. B. Owen emigrated to America from Wales, and
settled in New Jersey, where the family lived and died, with the exception of
Wm. B. Owen, who removed South in 1876, and began the practice of law in
Jacksonville, Fla., where he still resides.

    Daniel B. Owen, father to the subject of this biography, was a gentleman
farmer. He married Miss Phoebe S. Bedell. Of this union, a son was born, a son
who was destined to grow to manhood and be recognized in the world of progress
and advancement as Wm. B. Owen, one of the foremost citizens of Florida, a state
he has adopted as his home.

    Mr. Owen is a Republican. In political life he has been modest, firm, and
forceful. His party installed him in the Legislature in 1882, where he served a
term in the House, with dignity, and credit to himself and loyalty to the people.

    From 1888 to 1902 as Judge of the county court, his influence and popularity
strengthened, and since that time Judge Owen has given much of his time and
thought to the investments of capital, and to furthering the progress of
Jacksonville.

    During this period of his career, Judge Owen was elected President of the
Jacksonville Development Company, a corporation with $500,000 capital, and was
chosen as Vice-President of the Commercial Bank of Jacksonville, two positions
he still holds.

    The world life of this man has not been too complicated or practical to mar
the beauty of his Spiritual growth, and as a consistent member of the
Presbyterian Church, he has won his way to many General Assemblies, as a member
of the Body of Elders of that denomination. Much of his energy and concentration
has been directed towards promoting morality and sobriety among the young men of
his community. For many years he held the office of President of the Y. M. C.
A., a position that gave him ample opportunity to exercise his inspiring
influence over the young, developing mind. His lectures have been of interest
and value as a means of directing the minds of young men into the higher lines
of thought and manhood.

    Judge Owen is a student, and has made research widely in the fields of
theology and law. These two branches of education he considers of inestimable
value to the reader, and men who would go forward.

    He is a member of the Seminole Club; which is a factor in affairs social at
Jacksonville.

    The domestic life of this busy, progressive man has not been neglected, for
in 1888, he married Miss Hattie Kidd, of Chicago, the daughter of Joseph and
Laura Kidd, and the union has been blessed with one child, a daughter, Aileen
Louise Owen.

    There yet remains one other gift to be recorded as belonging to Judge Owen,
a gift that has added a charm to his personality and life. It is development of
a talent that has found expression in writing. The subjects of his articles have
been pertinent and timely, his imagination clean and his pen sincere in its
purpose.

    In every stage of his unfolding career, Judge Wm. B. Owen has had an abiding
influence for good over his fellow men. His companionship with others has been
uplifting and he is a worthy example of what a man with a high standard and
noble purpose can attain to.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

FLORIDA EDITION
MAKERS OF AMERICA
AN HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WORK BY AN ABLE CORPS OF WRITERS
VOL. II.
Published under the patronage of
The Florida Historical Society, Jacksonville, Florida

ADVISORY BOARD:
HON. W. D. BLOXHAM          COL. FRANK HARRIS
HON. R. W. DAVIS            SEN. H. H. MCCREARY
HON. F. P. FLEMING          W. F. STOVALL
      C. A. CHOATE, SECRETARY
1909
A. B. CALDWELL
ATLANTA, GA.


Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/duval/photos/bios/owen104gbs.jpg

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/duval/bios/owen104gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/flfiles/

File size: 5.3 Kb