William James Owen

OBITUARY PRESS, VOLUME LXXV, ISSUE 22872, 20 NOVEMBER 1939

MR WILLIAM OWEN The death occurred in Christchurch on Saturday of Mr Wiliam Owen in his eighty-ninth year., Mr Owen’s parents arrived at Lyttelton on the ship Isabella Hercus early in 1851 and Mr Owen was born at Lyttelton on July 3 of that year. Mr Owen started work at Sumner at the age of 11 years, his father having died a few years previously. After working on various stations in the back country of Canterbury he went to Timaru, where he worked, as a butcher. Returning to Lyttelton to work in a similar capacity, he eventually started business with Mr Thomas Dyer under the firm name of Owen and Dyer. The partnership was dissolved in 1897 and Mr Owen subsequently was in business in Christchurch for many years. In Lyttelton he was a member of the Borough Council for a number of years.

Mr Owen was interested in the formation of the Canterbury By-Products Company at Socktourn and was chairman of directors of the company for many years. After his retirement because of advancing years he continued to take an interest in the business and attended every annual meeting of shareholders. He was keenly interested in the Methodist Church both at Lyttelton and East Belt, Christchurch, and was an office-bearer for ' many years. He was also interested in cricket, hockey, and other games. At the time of his death, which occurred suddenly, Mr Owen was the oldest descendant of the early settlers. He was for some time president of the Christchurch Master Butchers’ Association. With the exception of one visit to Britain and three visits to Sydney he lived entirely in Canterbury. He is survived by three sons. Messrs W. J. Owen (Methven), F. J. Owen (Christchurch), H. C. Owen (Sydney), and two daughters, Mesdames A. Russell (Neutral Bay, Sydney), and V. Beaumont (Christchurch). He also leaves 19 grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren.