New-York tribune., 1906-05-07
OBITUARY.
WILLIAM T. OWEN.


Many pleasant memories are clustered around the
name Of William y. Owen. the veteran actor who
has Just passed away. dying. On this city on May
4 IN the sixty-seoond year of his age. Mr.. Owen
did not win a great renOwn IN his profession but
as an eccentric and low comedian. he manifested
exceptional ability. and he established himself in
the foremost rank. He a native OF Limerick,
Ireland. born July 8. 1s4f.-the second and fifth
child Of William Henshaw Owen Enslishman.
OF Welsh descent, at that time Chief Civil Engineer
70 the Limerick Corporation. In 1851 his parents
removed 20 Liverpool and then his father Jour
neyed 70 America and went 20 San Francisco.
where he died. The boy was trained in various
schools, and, in 1880 was graduated az Southamp-
ton College His mother died IN 1859. He was en-
plOyed, after leaving school. merchants clerk.
IN Liverpool. and in 1853 was sent. a mercantile
mission. TO Montreal. Canada. where presently the
failure OF the frm that he represented left him
without either occupation or resources. He had
already become partial TO the stage and had made
himself acquainted with some Of the plays Of
Shakespeare. and he was secretly wishful 20 be an
actor. For while he tried the vocation OF writing
In newspaper, and he fixed his eyes on the pull
pits-studying theology. and thinking TO become an
EDiscopaliau clergyman. He then tried public read
Ing. in which meTciless pursuit he. fortunately
failed.
In 1865 Mr.. owen came to New York and obtained
employment in a mercantile agency The theatre
however. continued strongly to attract him. and
through the precaTiOus, and sometimes ignomlnious
avenue OF amateur theatricals he ultimately made
his way TO the regular stage. The first part he
ever played was Sir HaFcourt COurtly. in Lon
don Assurance, that comedy having been given
by an amateur company, Of which he was a mem-
Der. az Budworth's Minstrel Hall, IN 24th street.
New York. February @ 1857 In that year he joined
travelling company, and December II, at
SALEM Ohio, he began the professional career
now terminated by death. He was on the stage for
nearly forty years-never figuring star. but al
ways remaining as he often jOcosely declared "a
satellite. In letter to the writer Of this record
(WhO Is grateful to have possessed the esteem OF
man so thoroughly good. amiable. and lovable), he
said: Y prefer to play in Shakespeare before any
other author, though can truthfuly say that never
In my life have failed % do my very best with any
character assigned TO me. love my vocation and
nate the starring system. which regard as the
greatest evil of the stage and the prolific parent Of
all Its nS,-alike unfair 20 authors, actors and'
did they but know II. TO managers ], would con-
cede that, perhaps. six people in century have
right TO star. by genius. wonderful industry and
great natural gifts The rest OF the so-cass stars
are mere commercial adventureTs or the offspring
of overweening egotism. / hope TO attempt Fal-
staff at least again. and 90 be allowed 70 play
IL In my own way. before shuttle on this mortal
coil, and trust to win your appreciation therefor.
have played at least eighty Shakespearian parts.
many Of them repeatedly. and can number nearly
six hundred other characters which have studied
and appeared in"
AS an actor Mr.. Owens style sometimes reminded
old Observers Of that OF William z. Burton; but
as Burton died in 1860 and Mr.. Owen was not in
America before 1863, he could not have seen that
great comedian. though, OF course, he could have
read about him. and observed the pictures OF him,
and absorbed the tradition Of his method. CThe
lineal successor 20 Burton was Daniel E. Setchell,
who lost In the Trieste her voyage from
San Francisco. bound 90 Australia) But Mr. Owen
had seen Blake, and Gilbert. and Mark Smith. and
he was close observer. Moreover. he had a way
OF his own He earnest, Jovial burly. en-
phatic. His humor was unctuous, rather than dry.
His play Of feature was continuous, flexible. and
droll. He could assume q most comical aspect Of
sapient vacuity, and his vocal infections Pc
culiarly felicitous He chiefly valued his persona
tOn Of Falstaff. which had much merit, but he was
at his best in the less intellectual Sir Toby Bech.
the dull. inflated DOgberry and characters Of kin
dred misunderstanding between bluff, forcible
mirth and pOmpous asininity. His voice was loud
and penetrating and he was remarkable for the
crash Of his laughter. He had much tenderness Of
feeling, but did excel IN the expression Of It.
Nature prescribed his course which was the prim-
rose path Of fun. He was meant for scenes Of IN
nOcent 10Y and kindness. His presence made people
happy and he was much beloved. Few men have
been popular in the dramatic profession. His
life was Of integrity. industry, and honor: he
bore with exemplary patience certain bitter
troubles that came upon him. toward the last: and
his death has left a void that will long be
grievously felt. W. W.