William J. Owen. This excellent and zealous young man was ordained to the ministry by Green Brier church, in Daviess county, near to which he was born and raised, Jan. 20, 1850. After serving this church with some others in the neighborhood, a short time, he moved to Jacksons Purchase, about 1856. Here he zealously devoted himself to the work of the ministry. In February, 1859, he located in Troy, Obion county, Tennessee, where he accomplished the principal work of his brief ministry. During the same month in which he moved to Troy, he gathered a church of eight members. Under the faithful labors of the young pastor”, the little church steadily grew, till it numbered thirty-three, Mr. Owen was also pastor of Palestine and Concord churches, where his labors were also successful. But his work was soon brought to a close. Early in December, 1863, he became too feeble to leave his room, and, on the 14th of the following June, was called to receive his crown.

Source: A history of Kentucky Baptists: from 1769 to 1885, Vol. II. John H. Spencer, Cincinnati, 1886