STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 127
Many native born Scott countians are included in the business roster of Winchester. They are bright, energetic men and are doing all they can to place and keep Winchester abreast the progressive towns of Illinois. The subject of this sketch is one of these gentlemen. George W. Owings was born on a farm near Winchester, Illinois, October 2, 1858. He is the youngest of a family of nine children. His father, Mordica Owings, came to this state with his parents from Kentucky in 1828 settling in Morgan (now Scott) county and was consequently one of the pioneers. His mother, Cynthia Adkinson, was a native of Clark county, Tennessee, and emigrated to Illinois with her parents at an early date.
Our subject received his education in a country school near his home and worked on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to Winchester and, in March, 1881, embarked in the dry goods business with his brothers under the firm name of M. Owings & Bros. He continued in this business for about eighteen months, when he sold his interest to his brothers and went to Jamestown, North Dakota, associating himself with S. R. Graves in the gents furnishing goods business under the firm name of Owings & Graves. This venture proved disastrous, from a financial point of view, and selling his interest to his partner he came back to Winchester and clerked for S. Lang, who was then in the dry goods and clothing business on the east side of the square. After a clerkship of nine months, he purchased the general stock of John S. Carter of Merritt and moved with his family to that town. He continued in business there for about eighteen months, sold out and came back to Winchester, taking a position with M. & S. Hainsfurther in their clothing store, remaining with them from November, 1888, to March 1889, when he again ventured in business, purchasing the general stock of B. F. Wilmot on the southwest corner of the square. After conducting this business for about two years he sold a half interest to H. Q. Rimbey and under the firm name of Owings & Rimbey conducted a general merchandise business for five years. At the end of that period he purchased Mr. Rimbey's interests and since that time has remained at the old stand.
On November 23, 1881, Mr. Owings was married to Miss Emma Haigh, daughter of William and Mary (Wier) Haigh. She was born in Leeds, England, April 18, 1860, and came with her parents to Winchester in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. Owings have been born seven children, all living, and their names in the order of births are: Earl, Dale, Florence, Winifred, Mary, Fred and Barbara.
In politics Mr. Owings has always been a staunch republican, but has been too much occupied with business matters to dabble in politics - the only office he ever held was alderman from the first ward in Winchester from 1893 to 1895. He is a member of the M. W. of A. and as pleasant a gentleman as one would wish to meet.