OWENS, James

==============================

OBITUARY.

James Owens, son of Samuel and Milly Fisher Owens, was born in John­son County, Ind., June 30, 1833, and died at his late home in Johnson County, last Friday night, Nov. 2, 1900 [sic]. His age was 67 years, 4 months and 2 days.

James Owens was not only a member of a family whose name has been long known in this community, but he himself has been long and intimately known. Not only were his parents in this vicinity when this county both looked and was far different from what it now is, but even his own early life was in a different looking land than we now see. They whose toil and enterprise have left their children a better earthly home than they themselves ever had, are one by one being gathered into the better and enduring home.

Into his father’s family there were born ten children. Their names were Kate, John, George, James, William, Martin, Milton, Mary, Nancy and Phoebe. Three of these died in early life. Of these brothers and sisters there are only three who survive him—George Owens, William Owens and Mrs. Nancy McBride.

On Oct. 31, 1852, James Owens was married to Julia Ann Tetrick. They began housekeeping on the farm now owned by John D. Webb, where they lived about four years. Then for 18 years they lived where Mart Owens now lives. The last 25 years their home has been where the family now lives, the place of his death. Their married life was thus a few days over 48 years, and it was the hope of the family that the 50th anniversary might be reached together and together celebrated.

To James and Ann Owens were born six children. Two, Willie and Edgar, died in childhood, one aged 7 years, one 15 months. Their deaths were only ten days apart. There remain four children, Jana, Effie, George and Thomas.

On February 20, 1866, James Owens became a member of the Second Mt. Pleasant church, being baptized by I. N. Clark. He has served the church accep­tably as trustee and has been faithful and consistent as a member. He has served also as trustee of Needham Township, filling the vacancy of Joseph Kerlin in 1885.

For many years Mr. Owens has been in feeble and continually failing health. His manner of death is thus less a surprise to those who knew anything of his condition. His sickness was borne with patience and resignation. It would be natural that the bodily suffering and distress endured should have made many a one long to be freed from its pain. It was a comfort to him to repeat the verses of old time songs, especially such as sang of the sweetness of heaven contrasted with the sorrow and suffering of earth. “Home, sweet home, I long to be there, its joys to share.”

Mr. Owens had a friendly disposition, always glad to welcome friends and neighbors to his home. So far as atten­dance upon church was concerned he showed more disposition to go when feeble than to be negligent ever of this privilege and duty. Those who knew and understood him best loved and gave him the most confidence. We commend to her, who was his earthly companion, the memory of 48 years, during which God’s providence did not fail in any of the good things the Lord has spoken, nor to those who trust will that providence now fail when most needed. To the children who lose a father, let it be remembered that “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” And to all in sorrow and pain, in a world of death, let us remember how it is written that all evil in the better world is done away.

The funeral service was held at 2nd Mt Pleasant church Sunday afternoon. A large number of friends and relatives being present, among them many people from Franklin.

Link to James Owens’ grave

Note: Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899–2011, Needham Township, Johnson County, Certificate and Record of Death, page 195 records that James Owens died at about 2 o’clock a. m. on 3 Nov 1900 in Needham Township, Indiana from heart failure caused by cerebral [sic], aged sixty-seven years, three months and four days [sic]. He was male, white, married and a farmer, born in Johnson County, Indiana. His father’s name was Samuel Owens and his mother’s maiden name Julia Ann Tetrick [sic Milly Fisher], both born in Virginia. The informant was Geo. H. Owens. James was buried in 2nd Mt. Pleasant on 4 Nov 1900, E. G. Barnhizer, undertaker.

Submitted by Mark McCrady, Cathea Curry and Lois Johnson