ALLEN


L. L. L. ALLEN

L. L. L. ALLEN. In every community and among all classes there are always some men who become leaders in whatever they undertake, whether it be of a professional, agricultural or commercial in nature, and who take a deep and active interest in all matters pertaining to the public good. Such a man is Mr. Allen, who is held in the highest esteem by every one who know{s} him, and no history of the county, especially of that portion that refers to Peirce City, would be complete without mentioning his name. Our subject was born in Jackson, Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., August 31, 1825, and is a son of Barnabus ALLEN. He was reared in St. Louis, and for many years was engaged in the counting room of a large wholesale clothing house, an experience that well prepared him for his future occupation. In 1870 he came to Peirce City, Mo., and three years later established the Lawrence County Bank, becoming its president. This is one of the most reputable institutions of the kind in Southwest Missouri. Mr. Allen was married January 9, 1850, to Corrinna POTTER, who was reared in St. Louis County, and their union has been blessed with three children: Charles E. (cashier of the Lawrence County Bank), Lewis L. (assistant cashier in the same institution) and Mary Isabella. Charles E. was born in St. Louis July 6, 1854, and was there reared and educated. He was married October 3 1883, to Belle GIVEN, who was born in the "Hoosier State," and is a daughter of Hon. Noah M. GIVEN.


LEMUEL W. ALLEN

Lemuel W. ALLEN, a prosperous farmer of Mount Vernon Township, is the son of Thomas ALLEN, Jr., and the grandson of Thomas ALLEN, Sr., who was a successful farmer in North Carolina. Thomas Allen, Jr., was born in North Carolina, and went to Tennessee when a young man. September 13, 1813, he married Miss Elizabeth DOUGHERTY, and became the father of eight children who grew to maturity: Lemuel W. (born December 26, 1814), John D. (born in Missouri July 23, 1818), Charlotte B. (born November 16, 1820), William B. (born June 8, 1823), Moses F. (born May 22, 1826), Minerva J. (born March 16, 1829), Sampson R. (born November 1, 1831) and Sarah A. (born September 33, 1834). Mr. Allen moved to Missouri about 1817 and settled in Callaway County, but remained only a short time, when he returned to Tennessee. In 1841 he came back to Missouri, and settled on a farm in Spring River bottom. He there remained until his death, which occurred when he was ninety-three years of age. He was a prominent member of the Baptist Church, and was a deacon for many years. He was a prosperous farmer, one who kept clear of debts. His son, Lemuel W. Allen, was born in Smith County, Tenn, in 1814, and was reared a farmer. He moved around with his parents, and in 1837 married Miss Pamelia EVANS, who bore him three children: James E., Thomas B. and Mary E. Mr. Allen came to Lawrence County, Mo., and settled on his present farm in the fall of 1837. The country was then very sparsely settled entirely with people from Tennessee. In 1844 Mrs. Allen died, and May 2, 1850, Mr. Allen married Miss Sarah A. SPRINGER, daughter of Elijah and Jane (HILLHOUSE) SPRINGER. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born seven children who are now living: E. S., Lemuel W., John M., Joseph R., Emma P., Dora A., and George A. Mr. Allen is a Democrat in his political views, and he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Allen had two sons in the Civil War; James E., who served in the First Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, was at the battle of Pea Ridge, and in the Camden raid, also in many skirmishes: Thomas B., who was in the State Militia, serving through the war under Col. John D. ALLEN, his uncle. Mr. Allen is a gentleman of the old school and a fine example of the sturdy race of pioneers now passing away. He is in comfortable circumstances, owning 257 acres of good land, and has given his children sixty acres of land each. He stands high in the community, and is well known throughout the county. He is still hale and hearty, and is a well-informed man, also a good business manager as well as a careful farmer. Mrs. Allen is an active and intelligent lady of sixty-one, and retains her strength and activity unusually well. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have eight children living, twenty-four grand-children and two great-great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. SPRINGER, the parents of Mrs. Allen, were Old School Presbyterians and excellent citizens.


L. W. ALLEN, Jr.

L. W. ALLEN, Jr., is a native of Mount Vernon Township, Lawrence Co., Mo., born August 30, 1852, and is the son of L. W. ALLEN, Sr., and Sarah A. (SPRINGER) ALLEN, both natives of Tennessee. The parents settled in Lawrence County, Mo., in 1837, and there reared and educated their family. L. W. Allen, Jr., after reaching manhood, chose for his companion in life Miss Minnie, daughter of R. C. LEWIS, Esq., and this union has resulted in the birth of two children, both daughters, Ettie and Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are much respected citizens. He is a member of the Grange, also of the Farmer's Alliance, and has been a member of the school board of his district for over five years. Mr. Allen has seventy-six acres of good land in his township, and also sixty acres more on Spring River Prairie. He has one share in the Verona Butter and Cheese Factory; also two shares in the Verona Roller Flouring Mill Company. He is a successful agriculturist.


Sampson Russel ALLEN

Hon. Sampson Russel ALLEN. Among the successful and enterprising farmers and stock raisers of Mount Vernon Township, Lawrence Co., Mo., and who has made a name in the county's history, is Hon. Sampson R. Allen, who was born in DeKalb County (now Smith County), Tenn., November 1, 1831, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (DOUGHERTY) Allen. The father, who was a farmer and stock raiser, settled on Spring River, Lawrence Co., Mo., in 1840, and carried on his professional work until 1884, when he died, lacking a few days of being ninety-three years of age. The mother has been deceased many years. The grandfather on the Allen side was a native of North Carolina, and served in the Revolutionary War. Sampson Russel Allen was the seventh child and the fifth son of eight children born to his parents. He reached his majority in Lawrence County, and in the spring of 1849 joined an elder brother, M. F. ALLEN, and others in an overland trip to California, driving an ox team, and spending six months on the way. He remained two years in California, and then returned to his home in Missouri, where he engaged in farming. In 1854 he purchased land and engaged in farming and stock raising. He here married Miss Josephine Porter JOHNSON, a daughter of James and Sarah (DAVIDSON) JOHNSON, the former a native of the Old Dominion, and the latter of old Tennessee stock. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born eight children: William Porter, Elmira E. (wife of W. H. GIBSON), John D., Sarah E. (wife of W. M. LEE), S. R., James, Charles, and Homer L. Mr. and Mrs. Allen worship at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. During the late war our subject enlisted in the service of the State Militia, and served in Company B, Seventy-sixth Regiment. He was afterward commissioned second lieutenant of Company D, Forty-sixth Regiment of Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and rendered active service until the close of the war. He was a war Democrat in his political views, and an original member of the Grange. In 1874-75 he was elected to represent Lawrence County in the Twenty-eighth General Assembly of the State of Missouri. He has served on the school board of his district and has about 600 acres of land in one tract. He pays considerable attention to the raising of blooded stock, especially Short-horn cattle. Mr. Allen is independent in religion and politics.


William B. ALLEN

William B. ALLEN, another successful tiller of the soil in Mount Vernon Township, is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (DOUGHERTY) ALLEN, whose sketch appears in that of L. W. ALLEN. William B. Allen was born on his father's farm in DeKalb County, Tenn, in 1823, and there attained his majority. He received a common-school education, and in 1840 came with his father to Missouri. Here he married Miss Phinetta J. SHOOKS, daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (KENNEDY) Shooks, who were old settlers in this county from Middle Tennessee, and of Irish extraction. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born six children: Elizabeth E., Charlotta J., Sarah C., Nancy T., William L. and Mary A. After marriage Mr. Allen settled on his present farm, and there he has since remained. He is a member of the old Baptist Church, and, like his father before him, is clerk of the same. In political opinions he has been a Democrat, but now affiliates with the Union Labor party. In August, 1862, Mr. Allen enlisted in Company B, Seventy-sixth Regiment Missouri State Militia, and was appointed captain. He was in several skirmishes with the bushwhackers. In 1864, he enlisted in Company D, Forty-sixth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed captain. Mr. Allen is a representative citizen and a prosperous farmer, has always been hard-working and industrious, and may well be called a self-made man. He has given his children forty acres of land each, 240 acres in all. Mr. Allen speaks of the old pioneer life, although filled with privations and hardship, as a happy one, the people all being friendly and placing confidence in each other. He often went forty miles to mill, and all lived in log houses which they had built themselves. Mr. Allen is a noble representative of this hardy race of pioneers, and can look back with satisfaction to an honorable, well-spent life.


From "A Reprint of Goodspeed's 1888 History of Lawrence County; Reprint Lawrence County Section of Goodspeed's Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties History; published by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., in 1888; Reprinted by Litho Printers Of Cassville, Missouri In 1973." as transcribed by JJR.

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