Owen Alpheus Sifritt was born in Green Camp Township, Marion County, Ohio, on 31 October 1884. His parents are Owen L. & Ellen (Harper) Sifritt. Owen had a brother, Paul Sifritt. Owen first married Mary “Mamie” Kathryn (Dreher), who died in 1940. After Mary died Owen married Dorothy (Stephan). This marriage occurred in 1949.
Owen’s father was a member of the Marion Police Department and Owen’s brother, Paul, was a long-time member of the Marion Fire Department.
Owen A. Sifritt began working at the Marion Fire Department as a temporary firefighter in 1907. In 1908 he was appointed as a regular firefighter. He was one of the first firefighters appointed as permanent members under the new Board of Public Safety.
Chief Owen A. Sifritt’s career spanned the era of the horse drawn equipment to the full motorized fire apparatus. He was recognized for 50 years of service to the city in May of 1957, at abanquet held at the Hotel Harding. He was a member of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association and was made a lifetime member of the International Association of Firefighters.
The words used to describe Chief Sifritt were faith, enthusiasm, ambition and resourcefulness. He has had faith in his community and in its children, said the speaker, who went on to explain that the chief held enthusiasm for his job even when he was a substitute fireman back in 1907 with small intention of making fire fighting his career.
From The Marion Star
Owen is pictured in many old department photos and he is often standing very near Chief T. J. McFarland. On 1 March 1915, Owen was promoted to the position of Captain. He served in this capacity until the retirement of Chief McFarland. On 1 January 1944 Owen A. Sifritt was promoted to Chief of the Marion Fire Department.
Chief Owen A. Sifritt retired 21 May 1959, after 52 years of service to Marion. He died on 26 September 1968, at the age of 83. Members of the Marion Fire Department served as pallbearers and Chief Sifritt was laid to rest in the Marion Cemetery.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 