Carl Norman Owen
OWEN, LAKE, GRANGER, HOWELL, MCCARTHY, LANGE, BATES
Posted By: CJeanealogy (email)
Date: 3/24/2018 at 13:58:48
The Marion Sentinel Thursday Sept. 6, 1945
Services Held For Carl N. Owen, 86, Pioneer Druggist
When they laid to rest the body of Carl N. Owen by the side of his wife in Oak Shade cemetery Saturday afternoon, following a beautiful funeral service conducted by the Rev. Charles Moore, of the Baptist church, it might well be said that they buried a Marion institution.
Shortly after reaching his majority, on May 31, 1881, Carl Owen opened a small drug store in the Christie building in Marion, using the money received from a small life insurance policy left by his father.
From that time on there were but few days through all the weeks and months in more than sixty-four years that he had not been at his post, ready to serve those who had needs in his line. It is doubtful if there is or ever has been a man in business in Linn county, who has put in more actual hours at his appointed task.
In 1882 Mr. Owen moved his store next to the old Commercial bank on Eleventh street; in 1886 to a better room next door south, and in 1892 to the present location. There for more than half a century he served the public fairly, dependable, honestly. He knew the children of the grandparents he had served when they were young. They trusted him, and he trusted them. He advised them in their minor ills. He served them gladly with their tiniest wants. Success with him was not measured by the dollars he made, but with the service he rendered.
Carl Norman Owen was born June 25, 1859, just north of the present Marion city limits, the third in a family of four children.
His parents, Dr. Norman and Ellen Granger Owen, both were of original Vermont vintage. His mother died when he was yet quite young, and instead of finishing at high school and college, he early graduated into a grocery clerk, and received excellent business training working for Jont Elliott.
His father was a doctor, but spent all his available resources in establishing the Chamberlain remedies into household use. And when he died quite suddenly at an early age, the partner moved to Des Moines with Dr. Owen's formulas in his possession, and made a huge fortune on the foundation which the Marion doctor had helped to lay, leaving the Owen children practically without resources.
It was then that the family responsibility fell largely on the shoulders of Carl, and who shall say that he has not made good.
Mr. Owen was married in Des Moines, March 27, 1889, to Miss Bertha Lake, of Marengo, who died in Marion, June 7, 1937. Surviving are their two children, Mrs. Norma Owen Howell of Marion and Carlton N. Owen of Cedar Rapids, and five grandchildren, Mrs. Betty Howell McCarthy, Mrs. Mary Howell Lange, Sgt. George C. Owen, Mrs. Barbara Owen Bates, and Margaret Howell.
Mr. Owen joined the Baptist church in early youth, but was a liberal contributor of all the churches, and never was backward in his support of any worthy civic or philanthropic enterprise.
He never used liquor, drugs nor tobacco, though in time he has sold them all. He never played pool or billiards. "Never had time to learn," he said. His chief swear words were "by gol". He was ever as supporter of youthful sports--baseball, football, and helped outfit the earlier teams, but never had time to see the games or play. He was greatly interested in politics, but ever refused office. He was, in their day here, a member of the Elks and Knights of Pythias lodges, and was one of the few 50-year Masons in Marion.
His was a cheerful and optimistic soul, with ever a pleasant greeting and a hopeful word however dark the situation. He often expressed the wish that he might stay in the harness till the end, and he had his wish. When comes your quitting time, will you leave a better record?
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