Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-10
A MILAN PIONEER
Alexander Owens, Overseer OF
Western Section of Henne-
pin Canal, Dead.
HELD POSITION FOR is YEARS
Native of ireland, Coming Here in
1857 - often Honored with Elec-
ton to Public Office.

Alexander Owens, a resident of Mi
Ian for more than half century and
for 16 years overseer in charge of the
western section of the Hennepin canal,
died at his home in the village yester-
day afternoon at $40 after an Illness
of eight weeks with Bright's disease.
He was Lorn in County Antrim, Ire
land, July II, 1880, and at the age of
Is came to America, first establishing
himself at Pittsburg. There in 1851
he was married to Helen Wyman, the
couple removing to Cleveland, Ohio,
the following year. In 1857 they came
west, arriving at Milan May l, and
that village has been their home since.
Mr.. Owens was a contractor and
builder and followed that vocation in
Milan for many years. When the west
begun he was placed in charge as over
seer, and he filed that position up to
the time of his death. Mr.. Owens was
many times honored with public office
He represented Black Hawk township
on the board of supervisors for several
terms He also served as president
of the village board of Milan a num-
Der of times and held at various times
other elective positions. In 1859 Mr.
Owens made trip to the Pacific coast
by OK team.
Survived by Six Children.
Besides the wife, there are suryiv-
ing six children: Mrs w. H. Smith
of Chicago, Charles C. of Cleveland,
Mrs. Ira Zahn of milan, Mrs F. S.
Hunter OF Boston, Mrs. A. II. McNulta
OF bes MONIES, and Mrs. r. b. Stearns
of Lake Forest, Ill.
Mr.. owens was a member of Eure-
ka lodge No. Of, A. F. and A. M, of
Milan, and the Masons will participate
in the funeral ceremonies which will
be held at the Milan Presbyterian
church tomorrow afternoon at 2
o'clock. DR.. Cullen, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, will officiate, and
interment will be made at Chippian.
mock cemetery.
SISTER Mary John.
Sister Mary John passed away at the
Villa de Chantal at I:40 this afternoon
after an illness oe several months due
TO advanced age. She was 80 years
of age and was born in Ireland but
had spent the greater part of her life
in Kentucky. The funeral will be
held Thursday morning at 9 O'Clock
and interment will be made at the
new Calvary cemetery.
Mrs. Anna Waza.
Mrs. Anna Waza, who lived near
Strayer's crossing in South Rock Is
land. died last evening about o'clock
ct st. Anthony's hospital, where she
was taken a few days ago in a crit
ical condition. Infirmities of old age
and complications were the cause of
her death. Mrs. Waza was IS years
old and had lived in South Rock Is
land for number of years. She is
survived by a husband and several
children.
The funeral of the infant son of Mr..
! and Mrs. Peter Levin was held this
morning from the home of the par
ents, 413 Fourth street, and burial
took place in Riverside cemetery, Mo
line.
| Mielke Funeral.
Funeral services over the infant son
of Mr.. and Mrs. F. J. Mielke were
held this morning at II o'clock from
st. Mary's church and burial tool
Place at Calvary cemetery. Father
hdolph Geyer conducted the services
nEr ANATuEn gu ADM InMEc.