Owen, Dudley Asbury 1840 - 1931

OWEN, BRAUCHT, ST JOHN, FITZGARTNER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/18/2022 at 10:24:20

Clayton County Register, Thur., 03 Sept. 1931.

Dudley Asbury Owen was born March 08, 1840, on a farm near Ida, Monroe County, Michigan. He passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. F. E. Braucht, Aug. 29, 1931, at the advanced age of 91 years, five months and 21 days.

He was a frail child in youth. On account of his health he was unable to finish his work in high school, as out-door occupation was necessary. He was drafted twice during the war of the rebellion and both times exempted on account of decided feebleness of constitution. While a young man the family moved to Hastings, Mich. in 1869 he was married to Sarah Ann St. John of Ransom Centre, Mich. Four children were born to this union, all of whom are living.

In 1879, they moved to Battle Creek, Mich, on account of better educational advantages - residing on a small farm on the outskirts of the city, where Mr. Owen engaged in the nursery business.
In 1894 Mr. Owen closed up his business and with his wife and two younger children went to the South Sea Islands, locating on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook group.

On the tenth day of July, 1895, Mrs. Owen passed away - three weeks before the arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Braucht, who were on their way to the Samoan Islands. Mr. Owen and the younger children joined them. He spent four years in Samoa and four years in New Zealand, returning to the United States in May, 1903.

After living several years in the south, he came to Elkader to be with his children during his remaining years.

Early in life Mr. Owen became a Christian and throughout the years has been constant and devoted to his faith.

He leaves to mourn his passing his four children, Mrs. F. E. Braucht of Elkader, Iowa; Herbert A. Owen, San Salvador, Salvador; Mrs. Lura F. Fitzgartner, Elkader, Iowa: William C. Owen, Hollywood, Calif., ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were held Sunday afternoon, Aug. 30, at 2:00 p.m. in the Dr. F. E. Braucht home. Burial was made in the East Side cemetery, the Rev. C. H. Franke officiating.