 |
 ILLIAM Z. ALLEN. The name of this gentleman is familiar throughout East Oakland Township as that of an enterprising and wide-awake citizen, whose determination to settle down in this section of the country, was one of the best things that could have happened to said section, as he brought to it his resolution and industry, and has built up within its borders one of the finest farms which has assisted so largely in the embellishment of the landscape. The history of Mr. Allen, who may be most properly termed a self-made man, is essentially as follows:The first twelve months of the life of William Z. Allen were spent in South Carolina, where his birth took place on the farm of his father, Oct. 16, 1821. His parents, John and Delilah (Clauton) Allen, were natives of the same locality, whence they removed when their son was a year old, to East Tennessee, where they remained eleven years, and then coming North, located in Edgar County, this State, of which they were residents for thirty years following. They finally sold out the old homestead in Edgar County, and became residents of Douglas County, where the death of the father took place in 1865. The mother survived her husband twenty-one years, dying in 1886. Both parents were born in 1796. Their ten children were named respectively, Jane, Martha, William Z., Elizabeth, Mary, Dorcas, Margaret, James B., Francis M. and John. The latter died in childhood. John Allen was a man of deep piety, and a prominent member of the United Brethren Church, in which he was one of the chief pillars, and to whose support he always contributed liberally and cheerfully. The subject of this notice received the advantages of a common-school education, came to Illinois with his parents, and remained with them on the homestead in Edgar County until his marriage. He then purchased forty acres of land and set to work with the intention of accumulating a fortune. How well he has succeeded in his determination, the broad acres which constitute his farm, and the fine improvements which lie has made upon it, are silent but forcible witnesses. When starting out in life he was thrown entirely upon his own resources, even having to borrow the $1.12 with which to buy his license to be married. The young lady who had consented to unite herself with these doubtful fortunes, was Miss Amanda Ervin, who became his wife on the 14th of May, 1840, the wedding taking place in Edgar County. Mrs. Allen was born in Fayette County, Ky., in 1823, and is the daughter of Elias and Martha (Eaton) Ervin, natives respectively of Maryland and Kentucky. Both parents were born and died in the same year, being each eighty-four years of age. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, were John I., who died in childhood ; William H., Delilah E., Martha A.; Sarah E. became the wife of James Lowler, and died in Kansas in 1886; James C., Charles W. and Job; the two latter died in infancy. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Allen worked in harmony with the one purpose in view, of establishing a home and a worthy position, both socially and financially. They lived economically, and each year added to the snug sum which was invested in a wise and judicious manner. After a residence of thirty-four years in this county, they can look back with satisfaction and the consciousness of a well-spent life, in which they have sought to render kindly offices to those in need, and to rear their children in a manner best calculated to make of them worthy and honorable citizens. Mrs. Allen never attended school a day in her life, and after she was fifty years old learned the art of penmanship, in which she is quite proficient. She has developed into a fine reader, and spends a large portion of her time with her books and periodicals, from which she has gained a valuable fund of informaation, and by reason of which she is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, and one extremely pleasant to converse with. Both our subject and his wife, at an early day identified themselves with the United Brethren Church, of which Mr. A. has been a Trustee for thirty years, and since 1H57 has officiated much of the time as Class-Leader and Steward. He contributed largely to the erection of the first church of that denomination in this county. Ho has been greatly interested in the success of the temperance movement, and politically, is a stanch Republican, upholding his principles with all the energy of his character, and during the late war was the uncompromising foe of rebellion and secession. |
 |
| Return To Contents |
|