Owens, William 1840 - 1916

OWENS, CARLIN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/19/2021 at 16:14:47

Cresco Plain Dealer Mar. 31, 1916 P-4 C-1

Wm. Owens, Sr., aged 76 years, one of the pioneers of Howard county and one of its most respected citizens, passed away Wednesday morning at the home of his son George in Cresco. He has been rather frail for some time, but heart trouble was the immediate cause of his death. The funeral will be held this morning at the Church of the Assumption and the remains taken to Elma for interment.

Cresco Plain Dealer Apr. 7, 1916 P-2 C-1,2

Another grand old pioneer has gone from our midst. The death of Mr. Wm. Owens came with much surprise to the people of Cresco. Even his own people, while they were aware of his failing health, did not realize that the end was so near; due to the fact that he was ever cheerful and never complaining. Until some 48 hours before his death his condition was not thought to be serious; at which time his children from away were called, and on their arrival he met them with a smile, saying, “God bless, you, my children.”
His last hours were comforted by the rites of the Catholic Church of which he was a faithful member, and his death was peaceful and happy.
Mr. Owens will be remembered by his many friends and neighbors as one who strived to make this world seem bright, not only to his own loved ones, to all whom he knew.
He was born March 17, 1840, near Belfast, Ireland. Came to America when a boy of 16 and first settled in Fayette County, Iowa, where he was united in marriage at the age of 24 with Mary Ann Carlin. To this union were born 13 children—8 sons and 5 daughters, all of whom are living except one daughter, who died in infancy.
In 1877 he moved his family to Howard County locating on a farm near Maple Leaf, where he resided till 8 years ago when the family moved to Elma. He lived there till 3 years ago, April 23, the date of his wife’s death, since then he has made his home with his son, George H. Owens, in Cresco, to the time of his death which occurred March 29, 1916.
Funeral services were held at the Church of the Assumption at 10 o’clock Friday morning, consisting of solemn requiem mass, Rev. T. J. Murtagh officiating assisted by Rev. E. J. McDonald, of Cresco, Rev. J. J. Murtagh, of Marion, Iowa, and Rev. J. P. Wagener, of Cresco. Rev. T. J. Murtagh paid a fitting tribute to the deceased and spoke a few comforting words to the sorrowing relatives.
His eight sons followed the remains into the church, six acting as pall bearers.
The remains were taken to Elma and laid to rest beside those of his wife in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, the burial service being conducted by Rev. F. J. Gunn.

Transcriber’s Note: His wife’s gravestone is in Calvary Elma Cemetery and indicates she was the wife of William; however, no gravestone is shown for him.

Calvary Elma Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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