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 G. OWENS, freight agent of the I. & St. L. R. R., is a resident of Mattoon and one of the substantial, self-made business men of Illinois. He was born Feb. 14, 1856, in Saline County, Mo., and is the son of Robert and Julia R. (Davis) Owens. His parents were natives of Missouri, where his father was engaged in farming until 1864. At that time he moved with his family to St. Louis, where he was occupied in stock-dealing until 1866; he then came to Kansas, Ill., where he now resides, engaged in grain-dealing. His family consisted of ten children C. W., J. C., W. E., R. G., J. L., Laura O., F. B., Lula, Ida and Thomas. Mr. Owens is active and enterprising in business, and in politics, is a member of the Democratic party. R. G. Owens received a practical education, and at the age of seventeen left home to begin the world for himself. He learned telegraphy in Kansas, Edgar County, and obtained the position of telegraph operator for the I. & St. L. R. R. His prompt and reliable business habits gave satisfaction to his employers, and for fourteen years he was engaged in the same position at different stations on the line of that railroad. He was stationed at Carbon, Ind., for six years as agent, and in August, 1883, was transferred to his present position. Mr. Owens has for many years been recognized by all the Officers of the road as a man of exceptional reliability and accuracy in business, and all the different companies, who have in the meantime owned the road, have retained him in their service. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. |
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