In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1845
From The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881)
C. W. ALLEN.
manager of the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Agency and dealer in Taylor & Farley organs, was born in London, England, in 1845, and when two years of age came to America with his parents, who located in Pelta County, Illinois, where his father, William, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Here C. W. was educated and raised to manhood. At the breaking out of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. K, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, and participated in many notable engagements, among which were Chickamaugua, Island No. 10, in the Sherman campaign and others. He was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term (three years.) He came to Missouri and located in Atchison County, and engaged in the sewing machine business. Thence to DeKalb County, and for a time was at Maryville. He came to St. Joseph in the spring of 1880. Mr. A. was married in 1866, to Miss E. A. Burk. of Illinois. By this union they have six children: Lorena, Minnie F., C. W., B., L. E. and James. Mr. Allen is a Master Mason.
As printed in The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.