Frank Owen of Porcelain Products, Inc. Dies

[Newspaper]

Publication: The Republican-Courier

Findlay, OH, United States
vol. 112, p. 1, 3, col. 2, 4


FRANK E. OWEN TAKEN BY DEATH


Porcelain Products, Inc. President Dies of Sudden Heart Attack


SERVICES TO BE TODAY


Headed Firm for 20 Years; Was First Kiwanis President Here


Frank E. Owen, president of Porcelain Products, Inc., died at 3 o'clock Saturday morning at his home in Parkersburg, W. Va., following a heart attack. He was 62 years old.

Mr. Owen had been in Findlay last Monday and Tuesday for the annual stockholders' meeting of the firm whose general offices are located there. He had undergone an operation some time ago and had become fully recovered and was in good health when here last week. However, he suffered a serious heart attack Friday night and died several hours afterward.

 

Prominent Resident Here

 

Mr. Owen was a Findlay resident for a number of years and was one of the city's prominent citizens. He was a charter member of the Findlay Kiwanis club and served as the organization's initial president in 1920.

He was a native of East Liverpool, O., where his father was engaged in the pottery business. He came to Findlay in 1909 to become connected with the United States Electric Porcelain company, which operated what had been the old Bell Pottery plant on Bell avenue. The Smith Bros. plant is now located there.

In 1911, together with the late J. E. Bicknell he organized the Findlay Electric Porcelain company and continued with this concern until 1923 when the severed his connection with the firm and went to Parkersburg, W. Va., to become associated with the General Porcelain company.

 

Became Head in 1928

 

He resumed his associations here in 1927, when five porcelain concerns including the local plant consolidated to become Porcelain Products, Inc., with the general offices located in Findlay. He became vice-president of the newly formed firm, of which Mr. Bicknell was head. In 1928, he became president of the concern, upon the death of Mr. Bicknell, continuing as head of the company until his death.

He visited Findlay periodically, in connection with his business interests, following his removal to Parkersburg. The company offices are located at 420 West Sandusky street.

During his residence in Findlay, he was a member of the First Presbyterian church and was active in all affairs of the church. He was a Findlay Country club member also while here.

 

Civic Leader

 

In Parkersburg, Mr. Owen was a leader in civic and business affairs and was a director of the First National bank of that city.

He is survived by his wife who before her marriage was Miss Minnie Milligan. A daughter, Mrs. George C. Price, of Battle Creek, Mich., and a grandson, George, also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock this morning at the home in Parkersburg. The body will be taken to East Liverpool for interment this afternoon.

In Parkersburg for the funeral services today are the following from Findlay: Miss Helen Bicknell, John G. Loy, William D. Humphrey, George Watkins, Norbert Laube, Glen Henry, James Tabb, and Mr. Dalton. A number also went to Parkersburg from the Carey offices of the firm.

While a Findlay resident, the Owens family resided at 1215 South Main street.


Keywords:Porcelain Products, Incorporated : Findlay Electric Porcelain Company : Bell Pottery Company
Researcher notes: 
Supplemental information: 
Researcher:Elton Gish
Date completed:January 21, 2014 by: Elton Gish;