Owens, Griffith 1803 - 1889

OWENS, OWEN, ROBERTS, PRITCHARD

Posted By: Kay Gavin (email)
Date: 4/6/2003 at 17:25:53

Y CYFAILL April 1890 (Translated from Welsh by Martha Davies).

MEMORIALS: MR. GRIFFITH OWENS, LIME SPRING (sic), IA.

In the district of Lime Spring (sic), Howard County, Iowa, in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roberts, August 9, 1889, Mr. Griffith Owens died at the age of 86 years and a few months. He had been afflicted for years ever since the cancer (literally "wild wart") on his lower lip, and that caused an end to his life. He suffered great pain from his ill health, especially in the last years, but he was very quiet and kind, giving his will over to the Lord. He felt that everything works together for the good for those who love God. He was a native of Meirionnyddshire, N(orth)W(ales). He was born and reared in a place called Bwlch-yr-ysgol, in the parish of Llanaber. His religious upbringing was in the Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Y Bontddu, between Dolgellau and Yr Abermaw. He moved from the place of his birth when he was a young man to live in Dyffryn (possibly the village of Llanenddwyn, Meirionnyddshire). Here he became established in the world, and in this district he lived for many years, and from there he moved with his family to this country. This (move) took place in April, 1842. Utica was the main destination of the Welsh at that time. Thus, after a rather tedious voyage being driven by storms, he reached this place and settled in Smith Hill, Deerfield. By the end of the year, he moved to Wisconsin where he lived in Racine, Indian Island and Rock Hill for many years; and 24 years ago, he moved to this area, and here he finished his earthly race.

Mr. Owens was a diligent man and industrious with the two worlds. He was faithful according to his ability, until death. He encountered tribulations and calamities, but he held on continuously to his confession (of faith) till the end. His hearing had been greatly affected for years so that he could hear hardly anything; between the two--the nature of his illness and his hearing--he had not been able to exercise his religious responsibilities in public for many years. But he faithfully came to services as often as he could, even though he could not hear.

An old-fashioned religion was this old brother's religion. He had great respect for the Lord's day, and he took special care to keep it sacred. He had ordered his family, that whenever he should die, he should not be buried on the Sabbath. In spite of all the impediments he faced to grow in godliness and to enjoy the comforts of the gospel, he knew that for a long time he had taken hold of eternal life, and he died in the light, and his eyes saw the borders of that land in all its glory, and the King in all His fairness, until his soul rejoiced in salvation.

Saturday a throng of those who knew him came together to escort that which was mortal of him to Foreston cemetery, to rest beside his dear wife who had predeceased him by thirteen years. The religious service was celebrated in the home and at grave side by the Rev. D.R. Griffiths, Abergele, Wales, and the correspondent, and the funeral sermon was given on the second Sabbath. Peace to his ashes.

R. Isaac

Second Obituary:

Howard County Times, Vol. XXIII, No. 30, Thursday, August 15, 1889.

Died, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T. Roberts, Forest City township, Aug. 9, 1889, Mr. Griffith Owens.

The deceased was 86 years old. Born in the Valley of Devonshire, North Wales.

He came to America in the prime of his life and has remained ever since. He has suffered patiently for many years with a cancer, and that, with his age, at last caused his death. He leaves seven children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to mourn his loss. His daughters, four in number, are Mrs. Robert Owen, Mrs. T. Roberts and one unmarried, living in this vicinity and Mrs. Pritchard of Sheboygan, Wis. His sons, Edward, Owen and Griffith living respectively in Minnesota, Dakota and Illinois. None of his sons were able to be with him in his last days.

The funeral services were held in the Foreston Welsh church, and were conducted by Rev. Richard Isaacs of this place and Rev. Griffiths, late from Wales. His body was interred in the Foreston cemetery, and the freed soul rests with the Savior in whom he trusted, and the Father to whom in early life he yielded his heart. " 'Tis sweet to fall asleep in Jesus."