New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-08
OBITUARY..
JOHN EDWARD OWENS.

BALTIMORE Dec z (speciaD.-John Edward Owens,
the comedian died 100 this morning. The Immediate
cause of his death cancer in the stomach
He had been suffering for about three years from com
pcatOn OF liver and other diseases and has been many
months since there any hope Of his recovery Early
in 1885 he In Charleston managing his theatre there,
but the climate seemed to be rather detrimental TO MS
health and he removed to his country residence "Ag-
burth Vale" Towsontown Nd. His health did not
improve however, and in July 1885. he went to New
York consult Dr. Hammond After this visit he passed
the remaining year his life at hscOuDtry home without
there being at any time much improvement in his con-
dition He slept well Monday night but this morning he
grew much worse and rallied He unconscious
when he died His wife and sister constant attend
ants ut his bedside.
Mr. Owens was born in Liverpool. England. in
1s42. Though he came to America at an early
age he was always attached to his birth
place and named his country home after
AigbuIth. village the Mersey whore his father was
born. The elder Owens arrived In Philadelphia when
West Marketst When John was eighteen years old he
clerk into wholesale drugstore bt ne soon ie II
the the stage of the old National Theatre or
which Burton. the prince OF comedians was the manager
Fora time he trod the boards at night as supernlnei
but was long before he given speaking part
he advanced rapidly in his profession and IN short
time had ade a name for himself III fhliadelPnla'
Finally the actor and manager Quareed and the former
TO Baltimore bat did not meet with much success
first. Afterwarl he engaged by Peale OF Peaies
traction Of the place During visit to Philade pnia
however he renewed h. friendship with Burton and by
him persuaded 10 play JGksy in Glance at Phiia
dephia" which an imitation OF Chanrraus ose in
Glance at New-NOrk" J0leB "a instantaneous a
his prototype and Owens made not only fame
but money. subsequently, he took and managed with
success the Howard Athemeum in Baltimore. az first in
partnership with a Mr. Ham, and then alone. IL was
about this time that he married Miss stevens well
known belle OF the Eastern shore The marriage was
happy though the young ady parents were opposed
t the match and the couple were forced 10 eope
In Is49 owens made his Tst appearance In Boston and
the after New York him Tor the Hrsttme. For
many years he still remained manager IN Baltimore,
selling his Museum Jarrett h Zegler and open
ing the old st. Charles Theatre. In 1888 he
went 10 New Orleans and became the principal
comedian at the celebrated Varieties Theatre IL was
here that he Organized the COcktail Guards,
OF which he the captain. In 1854 he produced in
New-NOrk Scion shinge." n version Of an old play
called Peoples Lawyer" The piece had What was in
those days the phenomenal Of nine months at the
Broadway Theatre. and in this part that he after
known in every city in this country well
as in England. since then Mr. owen has starred In a
round of characters including r a7,oss. Bnfter,cte6
in Our Boys" and J0hS, nil in self" About three
years ago be specially engaged By the Madison
Square Theatre managers % create the part or the Oh
Esmeralda and II this charas ter that he
WIS last seen IN New-TOik Mr.. Owens made great
during his tours through the country. nut
four years he lost large part OF his 10 time by
an unlncky speculation IN Baltimore. Mrs. owens sur
wives him.