John Thomas (Tom) Allen started working out for neighbors in the Hesper area when he was 12 years old to help earn a living for his family. Later he worked on his own and acquired a home on a small acreage just west of Hesper. In 1906 Tom married Emma Forde of Fillmore Co., MN and later that year their first child, Bernice, was born. In a few years Tom started farming on a rented farm in Highland Twp. In 1912 the family purchased a nearby farm, which is the present Allen farm. Five more children were born: Esther, in 1909; Irvin, 1913; Lester, 1915; Vernon, 1918; and Doris, 1921. The Allen children all attended the nearby Grindeland school. Bernice helped Tom with chores and field work until the sons were old enough to help. For several years Tom and his sons worked rented land on neighboring farms. Tom and Emma retired from farming in 1949 when their son, Vernon, purchased the farm. In about 1952 they moved to Hesper, where they spent their last years. Tom died in 1967 at the age of 96 and Emma died in 1976 at the age of 92. Both are buried in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery.

John and Susan Allen Married in England in 1865.

Family of John and Susan Allen. Back row: Amy Reed, Grace Noecker, Jennie Welsh. Front row: Tom Allen, Esther Johnson, Albert Allen, Anna Tabor, Fred Allen, cir. 1900.

Bernice married Arnold Henningsgaard and they farmed in Highland and Hesper Twps. Esther married Olaf Henningsgaard; they farmed in Winneshiek Co. They went to California in 1942 and lived in Inglewood and Hemet. Olaf worked in the aircraft industry and was one of a team of 3 who set up the electrical system on the mock-up for the Apollo 11 spacecraft. Irvin married Irma Randall; they farmed in Highland Twp. and then moved to Mabel, MN. Lester married Lillian Nugaard; they farmed on the home place and later divorced. Lester lives in Pleasant Twp. Vernon married Ruth Hagen; they farm in Highland Twp. Doris married Melvin Newgard; they farmed in Newburg Twp., Fillmore Co., MN and later moved to Mabel.

Allen, John and Susan (Darrington)

(Barry M. Dahl)

Susan Darrington, born 1844 in Roxton parish, Bedfordshire, England, the daughter of James Darrington (b. 1808) and Eliza Lovell (b. 1811). The Darrington and Lovell line traceable back to the early 1700's in Bedfordshire. As a child Susan became a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. She was the granddaughter of Samuel Lovell (b. 1778) and Mary Wilmore of Wilden in Bedfordshire. Samuel was a Maltster on High Street in Bedford, England. Samuel’s parents were Henry Lovell who died in 1801 and Anne Joice who died in 1807 and were buried in Wilden, Bedfordshire. Henry was the first of his line to become a “freeholder" or to own his land.

Henry's parents were Samuel Lovell who died in 1780 and Mary who died in 1778 and were buried in Thurleigh. Bedfordshire, England. Susan's paternal grandparents were John (1755-1835) and Mary Cook (—1847) Darrington, of Chauston, Bedfordshire, England. John's parents were John Darrington who was born in 1734 and Elizabeth Clark who died in 1796.1 believe John Darrington who was born in 1734 to oe the son of Edward and Elizabeth Darrington of Little Staughton, Bedfordshire, England.

Allen Family