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.
From The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881)
R. K. ALLEN.
Among those who contributed a just share in giving this city the reputation which it has attained as the metropolis of the Northwest, is R. K. Allen, who for twenty-two years has been identified with its growth and prosperity. He is a native of Massachusetts, and came to St. Joseph in 1859. "< engaged in working at his trade, that of carpenter and builder, which from that time has been steadily and largely on the increase. Many of the finest structures of St. Joseph, both in store edifices and residences, are specimens of his handiwork. In 1872, he opened his planing mill on Francis Street, which is the largest in the city. In the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds, etc., his business is the largest in the Northwest, extending into Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. His long experience and skillful management makes him more proficient than the average in his line. In this respect his standing may be inferred from the fact that the Union Depot of St. Joseph, one of the finest in the United States, is being built by Mr. Allen. The cost of this is $150,000. Few residents of St. Joseph are more widely and popularly known.
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.
Their biographies name R. K. Allen: William S. Carver (b. 1848) S. H. Manly (b. 1822)
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.