Dubuque County >> 1894 Index
Jones County
Clayton County

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties
Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894.

A

Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Becky Teubner.

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.

HIRAM ARNOLD, for a number of years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, at present devotes his attention to the buying, selling and shipping of stock, in which line of business he displays great energy, capability and force of character. Since the close of the war he has been a resident of Jones County, and during much of this time has made his home in Wyoming, where he now resides. He is numbered among the influential citizens of the place, and by his marked public spirit has enhanced the material development and growth of the city.

The Empire State has given to Iowa many of her best citizens, and Mr. Arnold is one of this class. He was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., January 9, 1843, and is of Scotch-lrish descent. The family has been represented in America for several generations, and Jacob Arnold, our subject's grandfather, himself a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., was one of the brave men who defended the interests of the Government against the encroachments of the British that resulted in the War of 1812. The father of our subject, Nathan Arnold, was born in Jefferson County and was trained to farming pursuits. In 1850 he removed westward as far as Illinois, whence in 1854 he came to Jones County, Iowa, and with the early history of this part of the state his name was closely associated. He took a prominent part in the opening of roads and building of schoolhouses, and was instrumental in securing many improvements of a substantial nature. His death occurred in Rome Township, September 20, 1890, when one of the pioneers of the county was removed from the scenes of his former activity. Politically he had been prominent as a local leader of the Republican party. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Calkin, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., and was a daughter of Seth Calkin, likewise born in that county. She is still living, and at the age of seventy-six years (1894), resides in Iowa.

When the family came to Illinois the subject of this sketch was a lad of seven years, and the rudiments of his education were received in the schools of Rockford. In 1854 he came to Jones County, where he grew to manhood. When the war broke out he was only eighteen years of age, but fired with the ardor of youth and the patriotic impulses of a loyal citizen, he enlisted in the defense of the Old Flag. July 28, 1862, his name was enrolled as a member of Company K,Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, which was assigned to the Thirteenth Army Corps. With his regiment he participated in several of the most decisive engagements of the conflict, as well as many battles of lesser note. At the battle of Sabine Cross Roads he distinguished himself by carrying ammunition and distributing it all along the lines, where he was exposed to the hottest fire of the enemy. At the close of the Rebellion, with a record as a brave and gallant soldier, Mr. Arnold was honorably discharged from the service. Coming to Iowa, he settled on a farm near Wyoming, and for four years engaged as a tiller of the soil. Since that time he has been a dealer in stock, which he buys extensively and ships to the large markets. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an interest in the success of his party. He is a member of the City Council and for nine years, beginning in 1878, filled the position of Deputy Sheriff of Jones County.

The marriage of Mr. Arnold, occurring in 1868, united him with Miss Armella Newell, who was born near Towanda, Bradford County, Pa. Her father, Elisha Newell, removed from Pennsylvania to Iowa and died in Jones County. Two sons and one daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, namely: Frederick H.; Letta M., wife of R. B. Curtis, of Anamosa, Iowa; and Arthur J. In religious connections the family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wyoming, to the support of which, as well as all truly benevolent projects. Mr. Arnold is a generous contributor. Mr. Arnold is also engaged in raising sheep and furnishes numerous farmers with flocks to keep on shares.