Obituaries of Capt. Hazlett F. Owens (1892), Elkton, Cecil County, MD Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Bill Owens < william.owens@gtri.gatech.edu > ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** From March 1892 issue of Havre de Grace Republican (courtesy of Fred Kelso) Death of a Nonagenarian Captain Hazlett Owens, the most prominent citizen of Perryville, and one of the oldest residents of Cecil County, died last Saturday morning after an extended illness, his death being due to the natural infirmities of his great age. He had been confined to his room since November, 1890, gradually growing weaker all the time. On Monday preceding his death, he dressed and walked across the floor, but that night was taken worse, and it was soon seen by those with him that his end was near, and he died as stated, his dissolution being calm and peaceful. Capt. Owens was born at Principio, Cecil County, October 6, 1800, and has led an active life. He was first a store keeper, then a sailor, and then a vessel owner. He retired from active business about thirty years ago, and invested his means in land at Perryville, until he at one time owned nearly all the territory on which that thriving village is located. He married in 1827, but his first wife died in 1833, leaving five children, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Verdine Touchton, of Port Deposit (NOTE – this most likely refers to Virginia Owens Touchstone, who used the nickname Verdie). Mrs. Caroline Cochran, the first wife of Dr. J.H. Cochran, of this city, was a child by this marriage. Capt. Owens afterwards married Miss Adelaide Benjamin, who died thirty seven years ago. The children by this marriage were John W.T. Owens, of Perryville; Geo. H. Owens, Philadelphia; Mrs. Rebecca A. Cole of Perryville; Hazlett F. Owens of Glen Riddle, Pa.; Elmer Owens of Perryville; Wm. J. Owens (who was killed by the cars at Perryville, leaving a widow and two children, who reside at Battle Creek, Nebraska); Mrs. Missouri Hilt of Albany, N.Y.; Ira Owens of Middletown, Delaware; and Leslie Owens, of Perryville. Capt. Owens also left forty five grandchildren and thirty seven great grandchildren. After his wife's death, his daughter by his first wife, Mrs. Norris, kept house for him until her death a few years ago, since which time his granddaughter, Miss Edith Cochran, has resided with him. Capt. Owens was an honorable, high minded man, one who in the language of the reverend gentleman who preached his funeral sermon, "left a history behind as long as the number of the years in which he lived." Funeral services were held at the residence Tuesday morning, Rev. D. H. Riddle, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of this city officiating, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hynson, of the Perryville M.E. Church. The remains were then taken to North East, and interred in the Episcopal cemetery there, the services at the grave being rendered by Rev. E.K. Miller. The pall-bearers were eight grandsons of the deceased, viz. Verdine E. Owens, John H. Owens, Wm. H. Cole, Jr., C. L. Cole, Elmer Owens (of Hazlett), Arthur H. Owens, T. Morgan Owens, and W.H. Norris. Eighty of the venerable gentleman's descendants were present at his funeral. Capt. Owens left a will, devising his considerable estate to his heirs, with his son, Elmer Owens, as executor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From Midland Journal, Rising Sun, MD, April 1, 1892 (courtesy of Fred Kelso) An Aged Resident of Cecil Dead Captain Hazlett F. Owens, who owned a goodly slice of the town of Perryville, Md., together with considerable property in the vicinity, died at his home, in that place last Saturday after an illness of several months. His death was due to old age. He was born at Principio, Cecil County, October 6, 1799 (sic). In early life he followed the water, rising from the deck to the captaincy of a vessel, then to the ownership of vessels and lands. He owned, originally, the whole town site of Perryville, of which he was one of the first settlers. He had been married twice, and survived his second wife by more than thirty years. He leaves one daughter by his first wife, Mrs. Virginia Touchstone, of Port Deposit, and six sons and two daughters by his second wife, and one hundred grandchildren, whose ages range from childhood up to fifty years. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Cecil Whig, April 2, 1892 (courtesy of Fred Kelso) Death of Capt. Owens Captain Hazlett F. Owens, a venerable and respected citizen of this county, resident at Perryville, died on Saturday night last at his home in that town after an illness of several months in his ninety second year. His death was due to the inroads of old age. Captain Owens was born at Principo, Maryland, October 6, 1799. In early life he followed the water, rising from the deck to the captaincy of a vessel, then to the ownership of vessels and lands. He owned, originally, the whole town site of Perryville, of which he was one of the first settlers. He had been married twice, and survived his second wife by more than thirty years. He leaves one daughter by his first wife, Mrs. Virginia Touchstone, of Port Deposit, and six sons and two daughters by his second wife, namely: Thomas, George, Hazlett F. Elmer, Orrie, and Leslie Owens, Mrs. Beckie Cole and Mrs Zoe Hilt, and at least 100 grandchildren, whose ages range from childhood up to more than 50 years.