William Jasper Allen

As printed in 1906

WILLIAM JASPER ALLEN.

William Jasper Allen, who is serving as postmaster at Wayland is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Henry county. The student of history cannot carry his investigation far into the records of this portion of the state without learning of the close and honorable connection of the Aliens with the agricultural development of this locality. Jackson Allen, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ohio, and was married there to Miss Mary Ann Vade, who was also born in that state. In the early '40s he made arrangements to establish his home west of the Mississippi river and came to Henry county, settling in Jefferson township, where he purchased a tract of land which he converted into a good farm. Pioneer conditions existed at that early day and the task of developing new land was an arduous one, but Mr. Allen persistently carried on his work and was long classed with the enterprising agriculturists of his community. He resided for many years upon his farm and then removed to Wayland, where he continued to make his home up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1887.

Rease Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Allen, and father of our subject, was born in Ohio and was a young lad when his parents came to Iowa. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. After arriving at years of maturity he sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey and was married to Miss Melissa Warren, also a native of Ohio and a daughter of William O. and Eliza (Edwards) Warren, whi. first opened their eyes to the light of day in the Buckeye state. They, too, became early and prominent settlers of Henry county, and Mr. Warren was one of the organizers of the Methodist Episcopal church in Way land, and took an active and helpful part in promoting the early moral development of the community. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rease Allen began housekeeping on a farm southwest of Wayland, which he rented and which he continued to cultivate for some time. In 1885, with the capital saved from his earnings, he purchased sixty acres of land south of Wayland and there he \e.(\ for seven years, when, in 1892, he disposed of the property and took up his above in the city of Wayland, where he and his wife now make their home. Thev are respected and worthy pioneer residents of this part of the state, and are widely and favorably known in their part of the county, having a large circle of warm friends. He enlisted in Company H, Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, served three years, being with the Army of the Tennessee, and was twice wounded in a slight manner. He served in all of the important engagements in which his regiment participated, being in the noted march to the sea, and also in the grand review, at Washington, D. C, where he was discharged in 1865, and was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, after which he returned to his home and soon after married.

William Jasper Allen was born on the old home farm near Wayland, January 8, 1867. and at the usual age entered the public schools, therein acquiring a fair English education. He made his home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred when he was twenty-two years of age. It was on the 28th of November, 1889, that he wedded Miss Nellie McCuen, who was born in Henry county and was educated in the public schools of Wayland. She is a daughter of Harlan and Sarah (Lute) McCuen and her maternal grandparents were among the early settlers of this part of the state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Allen has been blessed with two sons and two daughters: Inez, born August 9, 1891; Warren R., December 24, 1899; Wayne, March 22, 1902; and Mildred, on the ist of March,

Following his marriage Mr. Allen engaged in farming for several years, but in 1895 turned his attention to the livery business in Wayland, which he continued

66o until July i, 1897. He then took charge of the postoffice and is still acting in that capacity. In his political views he is an earnest republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of the party as embodied in its platform. He was appointed during President McKinley's administration on the ist of June, 1897, the office of postmaster, and has since served in that capacity, faithfully discharging the duties which devolve upon him in this connection. Socially he is affiliated with the iSIodern Woodmen of America and religiously is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. He has always lived in this county, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have knon him from his boyhood days down to the present is an indication that his life has been in harmony with honorable, many principles.

As printed in Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa, containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past .. (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.