Emmett M. Owen

Emmett M. Owen
Owen, c. 1938
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1933 – June 21, 1939
Preceded byWilliam C. Wright
Succeeded byA. Sidney Camp
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office
1902–1906
Mayor of Zebulon, Georgia
In office
1905–1907
Personal details
BornEmmett Marshall Owen
(1877-10-19)October 19, 1877
DiedJune 21, 1939(1939-06-21) (aged 61)
Alma materGordon State College
University of Georgia School of Law
OccupationPolitician

Emmett Marshall Owen (October 19, 1877 – June 21, 1939) was an American politician. A Democrat, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia.

Biography

Owen was born on October 19, 1877, near Hollonville, Georgia. He attended the Hollonville Grammar School, going on to graduate from Gordon State College and the University of Georgia School of Law, in 1898 and 1900, respectively. From 1901 to 1902, he worked as an educator in Butts and Meriwether Counties,[1] and in 1902 was admitted to the bar, after which he practiced law in Zebulon. He was also a peach farmer[2] and newspaper editor, of the Pike County Journal.[3]

A Democrat, Owen served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1902 to 1906. From 1905 to 1907, he was mayor of Zebulon. He was Pike County Court Commissioner from 1906 to 1909, Zebulon Court Commissioner from 1909 to 1912, and Solicitor General of the Flint Court from 1913 to 1923. He represented the Georgia's 4th district in the United States House of Representatives, fron March 4, 1933, to June 21, 1939.[2] While serving, he was a member of the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform[4] and on the Judiciary.[5]

Owen was married to Alma Jones (died 1928), with whom he had two children.[1] He was a Baptist, as well as a member of multiple fraternities, such as the Freemasons, Shriners, Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Odd Fellows.[6] He died on June 21, 1939, aged 61, in Washington, D.C., from heart disease; he died in office.[7] After his death, his children each received a $5,000 benefit from the federal government.[8] He was buried on June 25, at the East View Cemetery, in Zebulon.[2][9] On April 24, 1940, Congressmen John Marvin Jones and Milton A. Romjue delivered memorial speeches in his honor.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Emmett M. Owen Seeking Election to Congress Seat". The Atlanta Journal. 8 May 1932. p. 24. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  2. ^ a b c "Owen, Emmett Marshall". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  3. ^ "Owen to Run for Congress". Newnan Times-Herald. 13 May 1932. p. 1. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  4. ^ Columbia, United States Congress House Committee on the District of (1933). Merger of Gaslight Companies: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Public Utilities ... on H.R. 4324 ... April 25, 1933.
  5. ^ Claims, United States Congress House Committee on (1934). Estate of Thomas Peraglia, Deceased: Hearing Before the Committee on Claims, House of Representatives on H.R.6115 a Bill Granting Compensation to the Estate of Thomas Peraglia, Deceased. May 25, 1934. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  6. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Owen". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  7. ^ "Emmett Owen, Legislator, Dies of Heart Disease". The Telegraph. 22 June 1939. p. 1. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  8. ^ United States. Department of the Treasury. Division of Bookkeeping and Warrants (1939). Digest of Appropriations for the Support of the Government of the United States for the Service of the Fiscal Year Ending ..., and on Account of Deficiencies for Prior Years, Made by the ... Session of the ... Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 43.
  9. ^ "Funeral Notices". The Atlanta Journal. 25 June 1939. p. 37. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  10. ^ United States. Congress (1940). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 2465–2466.