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James Alexander Owen
James Alexander Owen ObituaryPhotograph.png
Born September 6, 1891
Died July 6, 1955(1955-07-06) (aged 63)
Education Natchez College (1912)
Meharry Medical College (1916)
Occupation physician
Employer Old General Hospital No. 2
Parkside Hospital (1940–1955)
Wayne Diagnostic Hospital (1940–1955)
Wilberforce University (1939–1955)
Title US-O3 insignia.svg Captain
Political party Democratic Party

James Alexander Owen (born September 6, 1891 – died July 6, 1955) was an American doctor and politician. He was born in Mississippi and later worked in Cleveland and Detroit, Ohio. Owen was a leader in the National Medical Association, an organization for African-American medical professionals. He was often praised for his important work in their official journal.

Owen also served as a Captain in World War I. He was part of the Medical Reserve Corps and the 370th Infantry. In France, he was a medical officer for the 366th Field Hospital. There, he studied how X-rays affected people.

Early Life and Education

James Alexander Owen was born in Natchez, Mississippi. His parents were Samuel Henry Clay Owen and Sarah Josephine Mazique. James had a twin brother named Henry and three younger brothers.

His father, Samuel Owen, was a teacher. He later became the president of Natchez College. This school was founded in 1885 to educate African-American Baptist ministers. By the early 1900s, Natchez College was very important. It helped many African Americans get a higher education. James's mother was also a leader at the college.

The Owen family was part of a small group of highly educated African Americans in Mississippi. James's parents made sure their sons always kept learning. After public school, James and all his brothers went to Natchez College. James graduated in 1912. Then, he moved to Nashville to study at Meharry Medical College. He graduated from medical school in 1916. After finishing school, Owen worked as a doctor-in-training at Old General Hospital No. 7 in Kansas City.

Military Service in World War I

In 1917, the United States joined World War I. The country was eager to join the fight. Many African Americans wanted to join the military. However, they often faced challenges at recruiting stations. The U.S. Army had only a few Black regiments. Many commanders did not want Black and white soldiers in the same units. Some leaders also doubted the fighting skills of Black soldiers.

To help train African-American officers, Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School was opened. This happened after many Black volunteers joined and students from Howard University asked for it. Still, some soldiers felt they were treated unfairly because of their race.

When Owen offered his help as a doctor, he was immediately made a First Lieutenant in the Army Medical Reserve Corps. Like other African-American recruits, Owen went to Fort Des Moines for medical training. The War Department created new medical units, like the U.S. Army Ambulance Service. This allowed the Medical Department to hire people with special skills. After his training, Owen became a medical officer with the 317th Sanitary Train. He was then sent to Camp Funston, Kansas.

When the 92nd Division arrived in France, Owen was moved to the 366th Field Hospital. The 92nd Division was sent to the trenches to help French troops. These troops had been fighting hard against the Germans for months. Owen spent much of his time treating soldiers for illnesses. This included the Influenza and problems from gas attacks.

Most African-American soldiers worked in non-fighting engineer units. They did dangerous and hard jobs like digging trenches and building roads. Owen was busy caring for sick and injured men, especially as German attacks grew stronger in late 1918. Germans often used gas shells in the trenches. This filled hospitals with soldiers who had lung and breathing problems. Before the war ended, Owen was promoted to Captain.

Owen was honorably discharged from the military in 1919. He was recognized in the Meharry Annual report for his excellent work.

Medical and Political Career

After the war, Owen returned to Mississippi. In 1920, he moved to a small town in Oklahoma. There, he met his wife, Marie E. Thomas. Soon after, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to find work. Owen stayed in Cleveland for eight years and opened his own medical practice.

In Cleveland, Owen became an active member of the Cleveland Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association. He also became a lifelong member of the National Medical Association. In 1925, Owen and other doctors started the Cleveland Medical Reading Club. This club helped African-American medical professionals stay updated on new treatments. Many African-American doctors were not allowed in traditional medical groups. So, Owen believed there needed to be an organization that shared medical advancements with everyone.

Owen entered politics in 1932. He joined the executive committee of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. He served there until 1940. He also ran for a seat on the Cleveland City Council, but he did not win. Owen wanted to improve sanitation and make healthcare more available to the community. Later, Owen became an assistant ward leader in Cleveland's 18th ward. He also helped start the Conservative Republican Voters League.

In 1940, Owen and his wife moved to Detroit. His twin brother lived there. Owen found work at Parkside Hospital and Wayne Diagnostic Hospital. He also ran his own private medical practice with his brother. In Detroit, he continued his strong connection with the National Medical Association. He eventually became a trustee on its board.

J.A.Owen TrusteePhoto
A group photo of the Detroit Board of Trustees in the National Medical Association. Owen is the second person from the left in the back row.

Owen also served as president of the board of trustees for the combined normal and industrial department at Wilberforce University. He held this position from 1939 until his death. He was also the vice-president of the Ohio Medical Association. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1954, the Journal of the National Medical Association reported that Owen and his wife traveled to Europe. They attended the International Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Geneva, Switzerland.

Personal Life and Death

Shortly after leaving the military, Owen married Marie E. Thomas. She was a teacher from Tuskegee, Alabama. The couple did not have any children. Mrs. Owen survived him.

James Alexander Owen passed away in July 1955. He was survived by his wife and younger brother. His death was mentioned in the Journal of the National Medical Association. He was remembered for his many important contributions to the medical community.

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