William S. Owen
William S. Owen | |
|---|---|
| Maine State Treasurer | |
| In office 1927–1932 | |
| Preceded by | William L. Bonney |
| Succeeded by | Louis H. Winship |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 18, 1869 Milo, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | March 16, 1941 (aged 71) Milo, Maine, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Buffalo |
| Occupation | Druggist |
William Sumner Owen (November 18, 1869 – March 16, 1941) was an American businessman and politician who was Maine State Treasurer from 1927 to 1932 and Maine Commissioner of Finance from 1932 to 1940.
Early life
Owen was born in Milo, Maine, on November 18, 1869, to William H. and Clara M. (Johnson) Owen.[1] On December 6, 1890, he married Hattie Scripture in Milo. They had two children.[1] In 1896, he graduated from the University of Buffalo pharmacy school.[1][2]
Business career
Owen began working as a druggist in 1888. In 1905, he started an insurance firm. Owen was also president of the Walton Hardware Company, vice president of the Kineo Trust Company, and treasurer of the Milo Electric Light & Power Company and the Milo Water Company.[1]
Politics
Owen served as Milo's town treasurer and as treasurer of Piscataquis County.[2] He was a member of the Maine Senate from 1904 to 1905 and the Maine House of Representatives from 1919 to 1923. From 1923 to 1925, he represented the sixth district on the Maine executive council.[3]
In 1927, Owen was elected Maine State Treasurer by the Maine Legislature.[2] He remained in this role until 1932, when he was appointed to the position of finance commissioner by Governor William Tudor Gardiner.[4] In 1940, Owen was one of four government officials to resign after his subordinate, state controller William A. Runnells, was indicted for embezzlement.[5]
Death
Owen died from heart disease on March 16, 1941 at his home in Milo. His wife had died only eleven days eariler.[6]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Hodgkins, Theodore Roosevelt, ed. (1926). Brief Biographies, Maine. Lewiston Journal Company. p. 195. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Who's Who of the New State Officers". Lewiston Evening Journal. January 4, 1927. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Rep. Win Seconded Nomination of Frank A. Holley for Speaker". The Lewiston Daily Sun. January 3, 1923. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Gardiner Nominates Five Officials For New State Positions". The Lewiston Daily Sun. December 16, 1931. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Fourth Man Quits In Maine Scandal". The New York Times. April 18, 1940.
- ↑ "William S. Owen Dies In Milo Home". The Lewiston Daily Sun. March 17, 1941. Retrieved June 20, 2026.