JOHN S. ALLEN |
Prominent among the leading farmers of St. Francois
County stands the name of John S. Allen. He was born in that county September 17, 1848,
and is the son of Christopher C. and Eliza Jane (Ross) Allen. The grandfather of John S.
was a native of Kentucky, who moved with his family to Madison County, Mo., at an early
day. Christopher C. Allen was reared in Madison County, Mo., and was married at the age of
twenty. The year following his marriage Mr. Allen put out a good crop of corn, and
attended to it with the sole aid of a two year-old filly, and he often made the remark in
after years that he raised more corn that year than he ever raised in any one season
afterward. After living in Johnson County and moving around for some time, Mr. Allen
finally settled upon the gravel road near Mr. Wright's store during the war, where he
remained until his death, which occurred about 1882. Three years later his widow followed
him to the grave. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and he was a life-long Democrat
in his political views. John S. Allen was reared to manhood in his native county, with the
exception of the time his parents lived in Johnson County. He received his schooling in
what was then known as the Molloy schoolhouse in Pendleton Township; was reared to farm
life, and first engaged in business for himself by burning charcoal. September 19, 1867,
he married Miss Emily J. Brewen, a native of St. Francois County, and the daughter of
James Brewen. The result of this union was the birth of twelve children, four of whom are
deceased and are named as follows: William Henry, twins who died unnamed, and another
infant who died unnamed. Mr. Allen purchased his present property two years after his
marriage, and has resided on the same ever since. He has 102 acres of land. He is a
Democrat in politics, and is at present holding the office of road overseer in Liberty
Township. He is a member of the Granite Lodge of the Farmers' Alliance; was one of its
charter members and its first vice-president, holding that position at the present time.
Besides farming, he pays considerable attention to the raising of live stock. GOODSPEEDS HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888, page 619. |