Owens_R.T._21 April 1854
Richard Thomas Owens, 87, Malad Valley pioneer of 1886, merchant and civic leader of Oneida county for more than half a century, died at the family residence early Monday morning of ailments incident to old age.
Mr. Owens was born at Ogden, Utah, April 21, 1854, the son of John E. and Mary Thomas Owens, natives of Wales. The Owens family moved to Malad in the spring of 1866. There were but 13 families living here at that time.
Mr. Owens played a very prominent part in the development of Malad Valley and wielded a potent influence in political and civic affairs in this section of Idaho. He was mayor of Malad for six years, chairman of the board of Oneida county commissioners, state senator, served for 17 years as treasurer of the Oneida Red Cross and has held several state offices in the Idaho grand lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Owens taught school in the first school house built in Malad. He was one of the town’s first merchants and was engaged in that business for more than 50 years. He helped to organize the First National Bank in Malad and has been a director in that institution since its establishment.
Mr. Owens was a member of the L.D.S. church and served a mission in Wales from 1883-1885.
Mr. Owens has been married three times, first to Susan Thomas and from this union four children were born, Mrs. Henry McGee (who is living at San Francisco, Richard E. Owens, who died in 1932 and two others who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Owens married Miss Bell Regan in 1890. She died in May, 1917. On February 2, 1820, Mr. Owens was married to Mrs. Beth Canfield.
Mr. Owens is survived by his widow and one daughter, Mrs. Ruth McGee of San Francisco, Calif;, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mrs. Catherine Daniels, Mrs. Charlotte Jones and Mrs. Blanche Thomas.
Interment was made in the Malad cemetery with H.I. Mills dedicating the grave.
Graveside services were conducted by the Odd Fellows Lodge with R.A. Flint and Dave Lusk in charge.
Business houses in Malad were closed for the funeral as a mark of respect to Mr. Owens.
Out of town visitors for the fun—

    A Valuable Citizen

In the death of Richard T. Owens, Malad loses a man who contributed a great deal to the early development of this town and valley. For many years he was recognized as one of the community’s most able leaders, and took part in almost every phase of development in Malad’s early history.
Mr. Owens was ever ready and willing to devote his time and energy to any project that he considered of importance to the community. His integrity, his honesty, and his ability made him a trusted leader. He gave of his talents without reservation in every good cause with which he was associated.
R.T. Owens has gone to join that sturdy courageous and undaunted group of pioneers who endured much for the development of the west. His name and deeds will be long remembered by the people of this valley.