George Washington Owen
Encyclopedia
George Washington Owen was an American
politician
from Alabama
who served as that state's 3rd District
's Representative
, and the 10th Mayor
of Mobile
. Owen was born in Brunswick County
, Virginia
in 1796, but moved to Tennessee
at a young age. He graduated from the University of Nashville
, where he studied law
; he was admitted to the bar
in 1816, and moved to Alabama to practice law. He served in the Alabama House of Representatives
. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress
in 1821 and successfully in 1823 when he became the first Representative of Alabama's 3rd District. He served in that position until 1829, when he was succeeded by Dixon Hall Lewis
, who later became Senator
. Owen was elected Mayor of Mobile, Alabama
in 1836, a position in which he served until his death the following year.
In 1823, he married Louise Sarah Hollinger, the daughter of Adam Hollinger (for whom Hollinger's Island is named), who was the great-granddaughter of Mobile co-founder Charles Rochon
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
who served as that state's 3rd District
Alabama's 3rd congressional district
Alabama's 3rd congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It encompasses Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Russell, Talladega, and Tallapoosa counties...
's Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, and the 10th Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
. Owen was born in Brunswick County
Brunswick County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,419 people, 6,277 households, and 4,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile . There were 7,541 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in 1796, but moved to Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
at a young age. He graduated from the University of Nashville
University of Nashville
The University of Nashville was an educational institution that existed as a distinct entity from 1826 until 1909. During its history, it operated at various times a medical school, a four-year military college, a literary arts college, and a boys preparatory school...
, where he studied law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
; he was admitted to the bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in 1816, and moved to Alabama to practice law. He served in the Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term...
. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in 1821 and successfully in 1823 when he became the first Representative of Alabama's 3rd District. He served in that position until 1829, when he was succeeded by Dixon Hall Lewis
Dixon Hall Lewis
Dixon Hall Lewis was an American politician who served as a Representative and a Senator from Alabama.-Biography:...
, who later became Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Owen was elected Mayor of Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
in 1836, a position in which he served until his death the following year.
In 1823, he married Louise Sarah Hollinger, the daughter of Adam Hollinger (for whom Hollinger's Island is named), who was the great-granddaughter of Mobile co-founder Charles Rochon
Charles Rochon
Charles Rochon was a French colonist and was one of the four founders of modern-day Mobile, Alabama.-Life and career:Rochon was born in 1673 in Quebec. He became a fur trapper and was associated with Henri de Tonti, accompanying him on many of his expeditions...