Alexander Allen

As printed in 1889

LEXANDER ALLEN, residing on section 4, Pike Township, and a pioneer of 1851, is among the leading farmers of Muscatine County. He was born in Switzerland County, Ind., on the 3d of August, 1822, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Jackson) Allen, the former of English ancestry, and the latter of German and Irish parentage. The father was born in the State of New York, April 11, 1800, and with his father removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Later, going to Switzerland County, Ind., Mr. Allen there formed the acquaintance of Elizabeth Jackson, who afterward became his wife. She was born in New l'ork in 1805, and was a distant relative of Andrew Jackson. Twelve children were born of their union, six sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to man and womanhood with the exception of one son, who died in infancy, and Elizabeth, who died at the age of fifteen years. Sarah became the wife of Japhtha Pickett, but is now deceased; David died about the year 1870; James M. C. yet resides near the old home in Indiana; Joseph departed this life at the age of twenty-six; Rosetta wedded Jonas Lee, and they are now living in Switzerland County, Ind.; Alvira is the widow of George Gleason; Phoebe is the wife of Columbus Steepleton, of Switzerland County, Ind.; Moses B. is also a resident of that county, and Georgia Ann is the wife of Albert Ricketts. The mother of these children died Aug 25, 1885, while the father died Oct. 7, 1888, in his eighty-ninth year.

Alexander Allen, the subject of this sketch, was - educated in the common schools of his native county, and throughout his entire life he has followed the occupation of farming. Remaining under th?; parental roof until the age of twenty-one, he was then united in marriage with Miss Eliza C. Bowman, their union being celebrated on the 7th of March, 1844. Mrs. Allen was a native of Virginia, born July 15, 1819, and was a daughter of Philip and Isabel (Richardson) Bowman. After their marriage the young couple rented a farm in Switzerland County, Ind., where seven happy years were passed, but in 1851 they decided to cast their lot with the pioneer settlers of Iowa. Choosing Muscatine County as the scene of their future labors, Mr. Allen pre-empted eighty acres of land on section 4, Pike Township, and upon that farm, which for over a third of a century has been his home, he began pioneer life. The land was in a wild state, no improvement had been made and not a rod of fence built, but the work of cultivation was at once begun, and from the unbroken prairie has been developed a fine farm. Mr. Allen has added to his original purchase until he now owns 150 acres in the home farm, 110 of which is under a fine state of cultivation.

Seven children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Allen. David M., who is now a carpenter and builder of Kansas City, Mo.; Mary B., wife of Michael Sheeley, a farmer of Webster County, Neb.; Julia D., who wedded Ezra M. Wiker, a carpenter and builder residing in Kansas City, Mo.; John F., who is engaged in farming in Cowley County, Kan.; Elizabeth M., who died at the age of four years; Olive B., wife of Byron B. White, a carpenter and builder, residing in Winfield, Kan.; and Rhoda A., who is engaged in teaching in Cowley County, Kan., and makes her home with her brother John. On the 3d of February, 1888, the mother of these children was called toiler final rest. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

For thirty-seven years Mr. Allen has been one of the leading farmers of Muscatine County. Com ing to Iowa in limited circumstances, by energy and enterprise he has gained a competence and is the owner of one of the most comfortable homes in Pike Township. He has ever aided in the advancement of the interests of the community, has given liberally of his means to the upbuilding of the church, and has done all in his power to promote the educational interests of the community. Though never having sought public office, he has filled several positions of trust in the township, and has been solicited to fill many others but refused, much preferring the quiet of home life. lie has always been a strong supporter of the Democratic party, unswerving in his allegiance, but gives to all the right of opinion. His honest, upright course of life, his genial manner and his kindliness of heart have won him the entire confidence of the community and made for him many warm friends.

A portrait of Mr. Allen is shown upon another page.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Ilis mother was only permitted to enjoy her new home for a short time, being called to her final rest in the winter of 1840. Soon afterward his father removed to Muscatine, and was elected to the office of County Clerk, which he held two terms, serving with ability. He then returned to Goshen Township, where his death occurred in 1874. lie took quite an active part in the political affairs of the community, and was one of the prominent and influential citizens of the county.

In 1837, when but three years of age, our subject came with his parents to Muscatine County, where he has resided almost continuously since. He was reared to manhood upon his father’s farm, receiving his education in the district schools, and in 1857 left the parental roof, being united in marriage on the 18th of January with Miss Lucinda Miller, their union being celebrated in Muscatine. This lady was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of John B. and Susanna (Lowry) Miller, who were also natives of the same State. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1854, following the tide of human emigration westward, landed in Goshen Township and located upon the farm where our subject now resides. Ilis death occurred in 1873, and Mrs. Miller died in October, 1887, at the ripe old age of ninety-one years.

After his marriage Mr. Ilallock engaged in farm ing in Goshen Township until December, 1858, when he removed tp Johnson County, Neb., where lie followed the same avocation until 1862. His patriotic nature being aroused, he responded to his country’s call for troops, and was mustered into service at Omaha City in the month of October. He wras then ordered to Northern Dakota, where he was engaged in warfare with the Indians for fourteen months, after which he was honorably discharged at Omaha, in January, 1863. Returning to his farm in Johnson County, Neb., he there remained until the following winter, when he resolved to return to his old home, and since that time has engaged in farming and blacksmithing in this county. In his political sentiments he is a sup porter of the Republican party, while socially, he is a member of Charles Michener Post No. 362, G. A. R., of Atalissa. He assisted in the organization of Goshen Township, aided in the organization of the school districts, and has always done all in his power to advance the interests of the community. For over half a century he has been identified with the history of Muscatine County. In the early days he endured the trials and hardships in sident to pioneer life, living in a rude log cabin, going many miles to market, and clearing the land with rude machinery. The meal was often ground in a coffee-mill, and other inconveniences of which the present generation would never dream were the common lot of the early- settlers. As time advanced and the country became more settled, improvements were rapidly made, the wild land was transformed into rich and beautiful farms, churches and school-houses were built, and towns and villages sprang into existence, but to the pioneers who bore the hard labor of development Muscatine County owes a debt of gratitude which will never be repaid.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Muscatine County, Iowa (1889). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.