(biography at the archived RCHC Web Site was incorrect)

Source: Knoxville Journal & Tribune, 24 April 1898, page 17

F. D. Owings, A Prominent Attorney Who Stands at the Head of His Profession in Roane County

Of the young sons of East Tennessee, Gen. F. D. Owings, of Rockwood, stands the forefront.  He was born December 15th, 1852, receiving his first lessons in the common schools under the tutorship of Col. Jno. R. Neal.  From the common schools he spent one year at Emory and Henry college, at the end of which his school days ceased for a time.

In 1880 Mr. Owings elected to represent Roane county in the state legislature where he made quite a name himself, and to the prominence here attained he has never ceased to add to through energy, courage, close application and a determination to climb higher.  In 1882 at the termination of his legislative term, he received an appointment from Washington in one of the departments there, and while in Washington, in 1885, graduated in the law department of the National University. Returning to Roane county, he was elected state’s attorney general in 1886.  That he filled this position acceptibly [sic] none will deny, since he was re-elected in ’94 without opposition from any political party.

Gen. Owings has a splendid personal appearance, being very portly, and is second to no prosecuting attorney in the state.  In addition he is a devout republican, always ready to engage in battle for his party and party principles.  In this respect, if it is possible to be, he is a greater power than as an attorney, and it would be truth to say that there is not a stump speaker in Tennessee with greater ability or magnetism than he. Because of this magnetism, coupled with power, admiring friends all over the Second congressional district are calling upon him as a favorite son for congressional honors, believing that he can more truly and wisely represent the common interests of all than the present incumbent.

Whether the general makes the race, whether he continues in his present position, he will be found active and zealous in court and in field, with aspirations pointing him onward and upward. He is dauntless in all things, and through such courage the most intricate problems of life oftimes become pleasant duties.

2025 additions:

Franklin Davis Owings was born 15 December 1852 and died 6 November 1905, both events in Roane County.  He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood.  His parents were William Jackson & Margaret (Fauby) Owings.  F. D. married Maggie Ellen Smith on 30 March 1876 in Roane County.  He married Maude Miles on 7 Dec 1893 in Roane County.  He was appointed Postmaster at Post Oak Springs in Roane County on 29 January 1878.