Owens, Henry Lee

OWENS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/23/2021 at 12:40:23

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.331

HENRY LEE OWENS
Henry Lee Owens, youngest son of the six children of Hugh and Eliza (Elliott) Owens, was born near Jackson, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1869.
In 1870 the family moved westward as far as Illinois, and in 1871 they came to Warren County, s e t - tling near Carlisle. In 1881 they moved into town where he has since resided. He attended public school in Carlisle and Des Moines, finishing at business college in Des Moines.
In 1898 he married Nona B. Keeney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Perry Keeney of near Avon. They became the parents of five children: Dorothy (Mrs. Webb Foulke), employed at the Carlisle post office for the past 15 years; Perry L., joint owner with Roy W. Schooler of Schooler and Owens, general merchandise, Hartford; Russell H., dragline operator and contractor; Jarvis E., manager of Easters grocery; Osborne K., postmaster of Carlisle. The two younger sons, Jarvis E. and Osborne K., served in World War II.
Henry L. Owens managed the local creamery for several years and then became a builder and interior decorator. About the town and countryside few indeed are the homes that have not known his work at some time. Houses he has helped build, repair or decorate, brick and cement work, barns and silos all bear testimony of his industry and varied talents.
The wife and mother passed away in 1911, leaving him to rear the five children alone. In 1923 he was married to Mrs. Lacella Anderson Wade, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson of the Quaker neighborhood. Mrs. Wade had one son, William, who died in 1937.
Through the years H. L. Owens has been a public-spirited citizen, well-known for his cheerful personality and spirit of true friendliness and service. His record as secretary of the Carlisle school is an example of his service to the community. Every boy and girl, who has been graduated from Carlisle high school in the last 47 years, has had his or her diploma signed "H. L. Owens, Secretary," for he has been school secretary since 1905. Three years ago he received from the Modern Woodmen of America a 50-year pin in recognition of his work as local secretary of that organization. Mr. and Mrs. Owens reside in their large comfortable home in the west part of town, both taking an active part in all community affairs.
Mr. Owens has always been interested in both vocal and instrumental music, especially his harp and bass horn. He was a member of a male quartet for many years and at the age of 16, with his older brothers, joined the Carlisle Cornet band, and is still at 84 years of age playing bass horn with the present organization created for the centennial in July, 1951, and known as the Old Dudley Town band. The personnel of the present band includes his son, nephew and great-nephews.
Mr. Owens was city clerk 10 years and city assessor 49 years. His seven grandchildren are: Joseph W. Foulke, Cleveland, Ohio, and Patricia Foulke Kaufman, Hawarden, Iowa, children of his daughter Dorothy; Myrna K. and Lynn Owens, children of his son Russell; Jarvis L., Arden K. and Mackenzie H. Owens, children of his son Osborne; and three great - grandchildren: Sheryl Frances Foulke, Susan Carol Foulke and Joseph Webb Kaufman.