WILLIAM W. ALLEN

ALLEN, BOND, CHERRY

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/21/2020 at 22:54:16

WILLIAM W. ALLEN is a leading landowner and stock-grower of Des Moines Township, owning and occupying a fine estate of 297 acres on section 7. Mr. Allen is a native of Mason County, Ky., born Feb. 17, 1843. His father, W. S. Allen, was born in Mason County, Ky. The maiden name of his mother was Elsie Bond; she was a Kentucky lady, born and reared in the same county as her son and of Welsh descent. She became the mother of seven children, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth. His parents set out for the State of Iowa in 1856, and made their first location on the tract of land which is now occupied by their son, the subject of our sketch. It was only partly improved when it came into their possession, but they successfully cultivated the land, established a comfortable home, and remained upon it the balance of their lives. The father departed this life in the fall of 1865; the mother survived him seven years, dying in 1872. She was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and her husband politically, was a conscientious Democrat.

When the parents of William Allen emigrated to the Hawkeye State he had not yet attained his majority. He remained under the parental roof, receiving careful training at the hands of both father and mother, and a fair training in the common schools. He was married in Clark County, Mo., March 29, 1866, to Miss Eliza Cherry, a native of Ohio, born near Columbus, and of American parentage. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and emigrated to Missouri in the fall of 1856. They both still reside in that State, making their home at Alexandria, Clark County, and have succeeded in their farming operations, and are now living in comparative ease and comfort. Mrs. Allen remained at home with her parents until her marriage, receiving her education in the public schools. Of her union with Mr. Allen five children have been born, namely, Thomas C, at home; Alice, Ollie, Anna (deceased) and Bertha.

Shortly after the death of his father, William Allen took charge of the homestead, and has since conducted its operations in a successful manner. He has also added 118 acres to the original tract, and it now constitutes one of the finest bodies of land in Lee County. As a citizen, Mr. Allen enjoys the confidence and esteem of his townsmen, and has filled the offices of Assessor and Township Clerk two terms. He is Democratic in politics, and Mrs. Allen is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887
 
Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887