Prof. William B. Owen, superintendent of Edinburg schools, is a native of Ohio, born in Ashland County, that state, on the 30th day of July, 1853. His father, Rev. A. K. Owen, is a Pennsylvanian by birth, and a distinguished minister of the Methodist Church, stationed, at that time, at the city of New Philadelphia, Ohio. Rev. Mr. Owen has held various official positions in his denomination, among which were those of presiding elder, and member of the board of appeals. He is one of a family of eight children, three daughters and five sons, the latter of whom all became ministers of different denominations, while two of the daughters married ministers. By his marriage with Miss Margaret Brubaker, Mr. Owen had a family of seven children, four of whom are now living, viz.: Elizabeth, wife of W. B. Taggart; Edwin B., superintendent of schools at Arcola, Ill.; George, a journalist in Oregon, and William B., the subject of this biography. William B. Owen enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, graduating at the age of twenty-one from Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio. In 1870, he began teaching in Lancaster, Pa., and in the presidential campaign of that year, took an active part by canvassing various counties in the state, in the interest of the republican candidates, Hayes and Wheeler. He made a number of public speeches, and earned the reputation of an able and eloquent political orator. In 1878, he returned to his native state, and accepted the superintendency of the Delta schools, where he taught five years, and then became superintendent of the schools of Tuscola, Ill., a position he held until taking charge of the schools of Edinburg, Ind., in the fall of 1887. As a teacher, Prof. Owen ranks among the best-known educators in this part of the state, and as an institute organizer and lecturer, few have a more extended reputation. He has been a member of the National Teacher’s Association for five years, and while principal of the Delta, Ohio, high school, achieved some prominence in educational circles as editor of the School Journal, published at that place. He is a regular contributor to various periodicals, and in addition to this schoolwork, gives instructions in sketching and oil painting, being an artist of acknowledged ability. Politically, he is an ardent supporter of the republican party, and in religion, holds to the Presbyterian creed. He was married in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1878, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Jefferson P. and Delia (Thrall) Maynard, a union blessed with the birth of three children, viz.: Carl M., L. Percival, and Lou M. Mr. and Mrs. Owens are members of the Edinburg Presbyterian Church.