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William B. Allen
Born 25 July 1851 |
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WILLIAM B. ALLEN, a prosperous and extensive farmer of Jones County, is well known in the community in and about Monticello Township, where he is highly respected as an industrious and upright citizen. His good estate lies on section 11, and in addition to raising the various cereals he devotes a great deal of his time and attention to breeding fine grades of stock and to the dairy business.
Our subject is a native of England and was born in Hampshire, July 25, 1851. He is the son of William Bunce Allen, also a native of the British Isle, where he followed farming until coming to the United States. He was married to Miss Susan Knight, also a native of England, where the father died April 28, 1887.
William B. of this sketch was the second in order of birth of the parental family of five children, two sons and three daughters. Walter Allen, his eldest brother, is living in Wayne Township, this county, where he is a prosperous agriculturist. Our subject was given a fair education, and when ready to establish a home of his own was married to Miss Emily Allen, who although bearing the same name was not a relative. Mrs. Allen is the daughter of William and Ann (Clark) Allen, natives of England, who made the journey to the United States in 1871. They first located in the state of Kansas, but are now residing in Monticello, where they are living retired from work of any kind.
In December, 1873, Mr. Allen set sail from Liverpool, bound for the New World, and after landing in New York City made his way directly to this county, which was his destination. The wife's family remained here a short time when they removed to Osborn County, Kan., on which trip they were accompanied by our subject and his wife. Young Allen purchased a quarter-section of land in that state, but the very first year his entire crop was destroyed by the grasshoppers. This experience, although a very expensive one, was the means of his returning to this county, where he rented property for a time near Langworthy. His success from the start was assured and it was not long before Mr. Allen was enabled to purchase an eighty-acre tract in Scotch Township, which he improved. Later he sold this farm and became the proprietor of the Ryan estate, located near his other purchase, where he carried on general farming and dairying for several years.
In 1892 Mr. Allen bought the property on which he is now residing, it being previously owned by Elias Smith. It comprises a quarter-section of choice land, embellished with a good residence and all the accompanying outbuildings. The place is especially noted for the appearance of thrift, which shows that the owner is a careful manager and understands the best method of conducting his work.
To Mr. and Mrs. Allen there have been born one son and four daughters, namely: Edith A., the wife of Frank Darrow, a farmer in this county; William J., May E., Grace E. and Mabel N. With the exception of the married daughter, they are all attending school near their home.
Source: Dubuque, Jones, and Clayton Counties History, 1894, pg. 277.
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