D. W. ALLEN

D. W. ALLEN, a successful citizen of Lincoln Township, was born January 14, 1841, in Saratoga County, New York. He is the son of J. W. and Eleanor (Van Waggen) Allen, both natives of New York, who were the parents of seven children. D. W. was the sixth child, and was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty years he went to New York City, where he became interested, first in the street railway, and afterward in the ice business. In 1870 he went to Rock Island, Illinois, and engaged in railroad work, first as fireman, then in the railroad shops, then as fireman again, and finally as engineer. Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bothwell, September 15,1871 ; she was born at Olin, Jones County, Iowa, and is a daughter of John and Caroline (Seeley) Bothwell. Her father was born at Dumfries, Scotland, and was brought to America when eighteen months old. He was reared in Pennsylvania, and served in the Mexican war. The mother of Mrs. Allen was a native of Cattaraugus County, New York. D. W. Allen came to Shelby County in 1873, and settled on wild land, thirty-three acres of which had been broken; here he has since resided and made many improvements; he now owns 230 acres, all of which is in a fine state of cultivation; he has a good house, buildings for cattle, a grove, orchard and a windmill. Mr. Allen and wife have six children-Cora May, Silas G ., Sarah A., George H., Daisy C. and Mary E. Mr. Allen gives his suffrage to the Republican party; he has served as township trustee, and on the school board. He is a member of the Masonic order, Parian Lodge, No. 321; Lebanon Chapter No. 8, and Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49. Mr. Allen is yet in the prime of life, and by upright dealing has won for himself an enviable position in the county.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 551. Transcribed and submitted by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

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