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Mason Allen, son of John
and Elizabeth Allen, was born November 3rd, 1809, on
Hole’s Creek, 1 ½ miles north-west of Centreville and was
of a family of eight children whose names were: - Sanford,
who died in infancy; Naru, who married Mary Potts
and they moved to Indianapolis where he died in about two? years. Caroline,
who married Ambrose Broadway, and they moved to Indiana
and settled on Flat Creek? a small stream, where she died in about one
year. The next in the order of birth was the subject of this sketch. William,
who married Elizabeth LaRue, of Mason county, Ky. Sarah,
who died at the age of about 12 years. Benjamin F. who
married Jane James and for many years was the most prominent
business man of Bellbrook. He died in Dayton. His biography and portrait
will be published in this paper. Thomas, who married
Mary Evans, daughter of David Evans
of Waynesville; his second wife was Miss Kate McKay ---------
(Note: Unreadable) place. He died
leaving a widow and three sons, Horace, William
and Edgar.
The subject of this sketch was married October 15, 1829, to Elmira
Kelsey, daughter of James and Elizabeth
Kelsey, of near Ridgeville, Warren county, and by this union
were born four boys and two girls; John L. born July
20, 1830, and married Louisa Coon, and now reside in
Dayton, near Union depot. James Harris was born April
17, 1833, and died in infancy. Abner Mulford, who married
Lucindy Watkins; he died Nov. 18, 1881, leaving a widow
and one daughter, Miss Minnie. Elizabeth Caroline, born
Dec. 7, 1838, and married William Tibble and have two
sons and one daughter, and reside in Centreville. Sarah Jane,
born Aug. 15, 1843; and married Frank McGlade, and died
January 17, 1882, leaving a husband, but no children. Benj Thomas,
was born Sept. 1st, 1847, and married Miss May Kindle;
they reside in Centreville and have ten children.
Mr. Mason Allen has been a farmer nearly all of his
life; he owned a good farm north of Centreville. For twenty winters during
the pork cutting season he worked in the pork house; a part of the for
James Harris, and the remainder of the time was for Benj.
Allen his brother, and many a hard days work has our subject
done in Bellbrook, and in those days he was acquainted with nearly every
body around Bellbrook.
February 15, 1883, he was united in marriage to his second wife, Mrs.
Narra Smith, with whom he is still living happily and keeping
hotel, which business they have been conducting ever since 1885. On the
3rd day of this month, November 1897, Mr. Allen’s 88th birthday
was celebrated by 53 of his relatives, who prepared an excellent dinner
for the occasion. The Centreville band was present and their excellent
music added very much to the enjoyment of the occasion.
He is the only living representative of his father’s family. His
parents came from Kentucky in 1800, nearly one hundred years ago. His
grand-father came from Ireland.
Mr. Allen is quite active and has an excellent memory, and can tell of
his first plowing with a wooden mould-board plow, and of the days when
he cut wheat with a hand sickle. He related to the writer about he and
his brother-in-law, Abner Kelsey, cutting, binding and
shocking 50 dozen sheaves of wheat each in one day for Richard
Haines. Those who performed this kind of work will testify to
the fact that the above was an unusually big days work and could only
be performed by men of wonderful endurance. He says when he can first
remember Centreville contained about 20 houses, all built of logs.
Mrs. Allen is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens
about Centreville, and is a remarkable man for one of his age. He received
his second eyesight about 16 years ago and can now read without glasses
like a person of 40. He is the only one left to give the history of his
father’s family and ere the return of many more birthdays he will
join loved ones in the other world never more to part.
November, 1897 |
