Allen married Grace Sphar 1 Jan 1907. Grace was the daughter of John and Sara (McHose) Sphar. Allen and Grace had 2 children: Clarence John (16 Jul 1908-17 Aug 1966) and Ruth May (28 Oct 1910-28 Jul 1987). Grace died 11 Feb 1911. After Grace’s death Allen’s mother Ann Eliza helped care for the 2 young children.

On 30 Jan 1918 Allen married Bonnie Belle Tatro.

When Allen’s mother died 2 Oct 1932, the family farm was divided into 2 parcels. Allen purchased the west portion; his brother Edward got the east portion. Allen called his parcel “Spring Valley Farm’’. On this farm was the spring near which Allen's grandfather Gideon Green had built the family’s first log home in 1850. To this day the spring continues to furnish water for the household and the livestock.

Spring Valley farm

Green, Chester and Edna (Roney)

(Ardis Dibble)

Chester Green was born 7 Apr 1901 in Bloomfield Twp. to Edward and Margaret (Bollman) Green. He was educated in the Oakhill School near the Green family home. Later he attended Valders Normal School in Decorah where he met Edna Roney who also attended Valders.

Chester and Edna were married 11 Jun 1924. After their marriage they farmed in Bloomfield Twp.

They were parents of 4 children. Roger Harold 27 Mar 1925-23 Jan 19311. Glen Irving (b. 20 Jul 1926), attended rural school and graduated from Postville High School. He joined the U.S. Navy. Glen married Joan Hawkins 6 Jun 1954 and lived in Appleton, IA. He died 27 Mar 1994. Ardis Virginia married Eugene E. Dibble 4 Jun 1947. They farmed in Fayette Co. until they retired and moved to Postville. Ardis has been a nurse's aid at the Good Samaritan Home in Postville. Ardis and Eugene are the parents of Zoe Ann, Leon and Jay. Jay and Ann (Lansing) Dibble purchased their farm in Bloomfield Twp. in Nov 1991 where they reside. They are the parents of 5 children: Andrew age 9; Cynthia age 8; Angela age 6; Christopher age 5; and Aaron age 2. Ann’s parents are Virgil and Rose Lansing of West Union, IA. Marilyn Shirlev  married Dean Werger 9 Mar 1952. They live in Garnavillo, IA.

Edna Green died 5 Dec 1987 at Postville, IA. Chester died 28 Mar 1989. They are buried in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, with their son Roger.

Green, Clarence and Helen (Koth)

(Helen Green)

In 1937 Allen’s son Clarence married and took over “Spring Valley Farm”. Allen and Bonnie then bought the Fred Kneeskern farm a mile south of the “Spring Valley Farm” and moved there.

Allen served the community in a number of ways. He was on the boards of the Farmers Coop, Postville; the cemetery association; the bank; and the school board.

In addition to farming, Allen continued the family tradition of tapping the maple trees and making maple syrup each spring. In 1950 Allen and his son Clarence purchased the “Caldow Sugar Bush” and renamed it the “Green Sugar Bush". This 'bush' was first operated by Allen’s grandfather Stephen Allen in 1854. The purchase returned the ’bush’ to Stephen Allen’s descendants.

Allen and Bonnie took an active part in operating the ’bush’ until the desire to travel beckoned.

Allen and Bonnie traveled to both Texas and Florida. They purchased a trailer in Lakeland, FL and spent their winters in Florida and summers in Iowa. Allen died 4 Jul 1961. After Allen’s death, Bonnie returned to Florida and made her home in Lakeland until her death 18 Aug 1987. Allen, Grace and Bonnie are all buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery, near Castalia, IA.

Left: Allen Green with Robert in front of him. Clarence Green with Dale in background.

Clarence Green was born 16 Jul 1908 on the “Spring Valley Farm", Sec. 12, Bloomfield Twp., Winneshiek Co., the son of Allen and Grace (Sphar) Green. Clarence’s