Alvin M. Owsley
Encyclopedia
Alvin Mansfield Owsley was an American
diplomat
, lawyer
, and soldier
.
, son of Alvin Clark and Sallie (Blount) Owsley. He remained in Texas
with his family while working for his elementary and secondary education, and also while attending a term at North Texas State College in 1904. Later that year, Owsley joined the Virginia Military Institute
, where he developed into captain of Company A, and in 1909 graduated in the upper tier of his class. Owsley completed his law degree at the University of Texas in 1912. He married Lucy Ball of Muncie, Indiana
in May, 1925. They had three children. Owsley died in 1967 in Dallas, Texas
.
in 1913–1914. In 1915 he became the county and district attorney in Denton
, a title he held until 1917.
with the 36th Infantry Division (United States). He was involved in many important World War I campaigns and offensives through 1918, especially the Meuse-Argonne Offensive
. Owsley held the title of lieutenant colonel when he was honourably discharged in 1919. This honourable discharge was accompanied by several military decorations as well; for instance, the French Legion of Honour, the Order of Polonia Restituta and the Confederate Service Cross.
in Paris, France and was later elected National Commander in 1921, spending his year long term in support of veterans' issues, such as prosecution of war profiteers. Using official records from Washington
, Owsley found that over one hundred thousand war veterans were not receiving adequate financial support. During his 1922–1923 tenure as leader of the American Legion, Owsley made numerous speeches in which he openly endorsed and supported both Benito Mussolini
and Fascism
, as well as drew analogies between the fascist movement and the American Legion. His priorities were on display at a San Francisco assembly just before retiring from his head position, where he stated that better hospitalization, rehabilitation, adjusted compensation, and Americanization were necessary for veterans.
. He attempted an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination to the United States Senate in 1928.
with an appointment as the U.S. minister
to Romania
(1933–35). He also served terms as Ambassador to the Irish Free State
(1935–1937) and completed his diplomatic work in Denmark
(1937–39). Owsley resigned as the Minister to Denmark and Iceland
in 1939 with increased international tensions and Roosevelt's announcement for a third term as President.
in 1940. Owsley remained in politics, but helping the Texas campaigns of Republicans
Thomas Dewey
and Dwight D. Eisenhower
.
In 1941, Owsley started work for his father-in-law, Frank Ball, at the Ball Brothers' Glass Manufacturing Company
, first in Muncie, Indiana
and in 1944 moving to Dallas, Texas
where he retired as vice president.
Owsley presented the American Legion
in support of American soldier William S. Girard in his 1957-1958 manslaughter trial in Tokyo.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
, lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, and soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
.
Personal life
Owsley was born and raised in Denton, TexasDenton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
, son of Alvin Clark and Sallie (Blount) Owsley. He remained in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
with his family while working for his elementary and secondary education, and also while attending a term at North Texas State College in 1904. Later that year, Owsley joined the Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
, where he developed into captain of Company A, and in 1909 graduated in the upper tier of his class. Owsley completed his law degree at the University of Texas in 1912. He married Lucy Ball of Muncie, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
in May, 1925. They had three children. Owsley died in 1967 in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
.
Professional life
Owsley began work in 1912 with his father’s legal firm, but then served in the Texas LegislatureTexas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
in 1913–1914. In 1915 he became the county and district attorney in Denton
Denton County, Texas
Denton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 432,976; in 2009 the estimated population had reached 628,300. Part of the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The county seat is Denton. The county...
, a title he held until 1917.
World War I
Owsley traded his political and legal responsibilities to serve in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
with the 36th Infantry Division (United States). He was involved in many important World War I campaigns and offensives through 1918, especially the Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, or Maas-Argonne Offensive, also called the Battle of the Argonne Forest, was a part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire western front.-Overview:...
. Owsley held the title of lieutenant colonel when he was honourably discharged in 1919. This honourable discharge was accompanied by several military decorations as well; for instance, the French Legion of Honour, the Order of Polonia Restituta and the Confederate Service Cross.
American Legion
Owsley was present in 1919 at the formative legion caucus meeting of the American LegionAmerican Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
in Paris, France and was later elected National Commander in 1921, spending his year long term in support of veterans' issues, such as prosecution of war profiteers. Using official records from Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Owsley found that over one hundred thousand war veterans were not receiving adequate financial support. During his 1922–1923 tenure as leader of the American Legion, Owsley made numerous speeches in which he openly endorsed and supported both Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
and Fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
, as well as drew analogies between the fascist movement and the American Legion. His priorities were on display at a San Francisco assembly just before retiring from his head position, where he stated that better hospitalization, rehabilitation, adjusted compensation, and Americanization were necessary for veterans.
Law practice
From 1923 to 1933 the legal partnership of Burgess, Owsley, Story, and Stewart was the focus of his career. With gained stability at home in Texas, in May 1925 Alvin married Lucy Ball, daughter of Frank Ball of the Ball BrothersBall Brothers
The Ball brothers were the founders of the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Business which eventually became Ball Corporation. They greatly improved the quality of life of Muncie, Indiana through their philanthropy and business. They were instrumental in the creation of Ball State University, and...
. He attempted an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination to the United States Senate in 1928.
Diplomatic service
In 1933 Owsley was rewarded for his efforts as a campaign speaker for Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
with an appointment as the U.S. minister
United States Ambassador to Romania
A United States diplomatic representative to Romania has existed since 1880. The United States formally recognized Romania in 1878, following the Treaty of Berlin; diplomatic relations were opened in 1880, and American diplomats were sent to the country. Until the early 20th century, most...
to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
(1933–35). He also served terms as Ambassador to the Irish Free State
United States Ambassador to Ireland
There have been a total of 30 Ambassadors of the United States to Ireland meaning the Republic of Ireland. All except one, Frederick A. Sterling, have been non-career appointees, while there were three under President George W. Bush.-List of Ambassadors:...
(1935–1937) and completed his diplomatic work in Denmark
United States Ambassador to Denmark
The first representative from the United States to Denmark was appointed in 1827 as a Chargé d'Affaires. There followed a series of chargés and ministers until 1890 when the first full ambassador was appointed...
(1937–39). Owsley resigned as the Minister to Denmark and Iceland
United States Ambassador to Denmark
The first representative from the United States to Denmark was appointed in 1827 as a Chargé d'Affaires. There followed a series of chargés and ministers until 1890 when the first full ambassador was appointed...
in 1939 with increased international tensions and Roosevelt's announcement for a third term as President.
Later service
Though a Democrat, Owsley rejected Roosevelt's bid to run for a third term and campaigned for Wendell WillkieWendell Willkie
Wendell Lewis Willkie was a corporate lawyer in the United States and a dark horse who became the Republican Party nominee for the president in 1940. A member of the liberal wing of the GOP, he crusaded against those domestic policies of the New Deal that he thought were inefficient and...
in 1940. Owsley remained in politics, but helping the Texas campaigns of Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Thomas Dewey
Thomas Dewey
Thomas Edmund Dewey was the 47th Governor of New York . In 1944 and 1948, he was the Republican candidate for President, but lost both times. He led the liberal faction of the Republican Party, in which he fought conservative Ohio Senator Robert A. Taft...
and Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
.
In 1941, Owsley started work for his father-in-law, Frank Ball, at the Ball Brothers' Glass Manufacturing Company
Ball Corp.
Ball Corporation , originally Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, is an American company famous for producing glass canning jars. Founded in 1880, it is currently headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado. The company has expanded into other areas such as avionics, space systems, metal beverage...
, first in Muncie, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
and in 1944 moving to Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
where he retired as vice president.
Owsley presented the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
in support of American soldier William S. Girard in his 1957-1958 manslaughter trial in Tokyo.