Riley Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-John M. Allen
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
CAPT. JOHN M. ALLEN. After a vigorous manhood spent in accumulating a competency, Capt. Allen is now enjoying the fruits of his labors, living retired from active business at a well-developed homestead on section 17, Zeandale Township. Riley County. He is numbered among the solid men of his community, where he has been no unimportant factor in contributing to its welfare and prosperity. He comes of excellent stock, being
the son of David and Cynthia (McClung) Allen, natives of Columbiana County, Ohio. The parents, were reared and married in their native county, and there the mother died about 1823. David Allen subsequently took up his abode in Athens County, Ohio, where he spent his last days.
Two children only were born to David and Cynthia Allen. John M., being the younger. He is a native of the same county as his parents and first opened his eyes to the light on the 6th of June, 1824. He was a mere boy at the time of his mother's death, and ten or twelve years old when his father changed his residence from Columbiana to Athens County. He sojourned in the latter until a youth of eighteen years, then returning to his old haunts was employed as a carpenter about seven years. In 1847 he set out for the farther West, and crossing the Mississippi, located in Clark County, Iowa. He followed his trade in the Hawk-eye State one year, then returning to Ohio was married to a maiden of his own township, Miss Mary Ann Armstrong, the wedding taking place at the bride's home, Feb. 24, 1848. Mrs. Allen was born Feb. 12, 1824, and reared not far from the home of her husband. They lived there eight years after their marriage, then, in 1856. Mr. Allen returned to Iowa, and settled in Louisa County. A few months later, however, they removed to Clark County, Mo., sojourning there about eleven months.
It will thus be seen that Mr. Allen traveled about considerably and had not yet found a place where he could make up his mind to locate permanently. In the fall of 1858 he came into the Territory of Kansas and took up 160 acres of land on section 17, Zeandale Township, in what is now Riley County, and set about the establishment of a homestead. Notwithstanding the many drawbacks and difficulties which he experienced in common with all the early settlers of this region, he has maintained his residence here until the present time.
Tike farming operations of Mr. Allen were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War, and in August, 1862, laying aside his personal plans and interests he determined to have a hand in the preservation of the Union. Accordingly he enlisted in Company K, 11th Kansas Infantry, and after
serving a little over one year returned to his home in safety. In the meantime he was commissioned Captain of Company K, and was complimented with the commission of Major although not mustered in as such. He took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., and also encountered the command of the confederate Gen. Price, on the Price raid, with whom they had a number of skirmishes, and was mustered out Sept. 14, 1865. Returning then to his farm he proceeded with its improvement and cultivation, and with the exception of three and one-half years, (when he officiated as United States Pension Agent at Topeka) has since resided upon it. Politically, be affiliates with the Union Labor party, and with his good wife is prominently connected with the Christian Church. He belongs to Lew Gove Post, No. 100, G. A. R., and is also identified with LaFayette Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and the Chapter at Manhattan.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, three children, William O., Emma E. and Bennett A. Emma is the wife of Joseph E. Crowel, of Manhattan. The sons are at home with their parents. Capt. Allen rents his farm and receives therefrom a comfortable income.