Glenn E and Jean Allen

ALLEN, MOFFITT, CRONK, MATAYA

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/8/2014 at 02:13:37

Glenn E Allen was born on Feb 25, 1916, at Leon, Decatur County, Iowa the fourth of eight children born to Hattie Glenn Hacker Allen and Frank Perry Allen. He graduated from Kellerton, Iowa high school in 1933 and from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa in 1935. He taught school at Lorimor, Iowa and in Madrid serving as teacher and principal in Madrid until 1943, when he left to serve as Chief Pharmacist’s Mate with the US Marines. While in the service, he served with distinction and received various medals for distinguished service. He as present at the flag raising on Iwo Jima.
After leaving the service, he attended Drake University and the University of Iowa, where he completed his legal education in 1948. In the fall of that year, he and Jean returned to Madrid where he began his legal practice with C J Cederquist. He has continued his practice of law to date. Glenn has served on the local city council and as city attorney and both the county and local boards of education. He now heads the non-profit corporation. The Keigley Foundation, to promote the growth of our city library.
Jean Moffitt Allen was born Sept 22, 1919, on the family farm, in New Hope Township, Union County, Iowa near Lorimor, the third of four children. Her parents were Lena Rusk Moffitt (who at 91 yrs, lives here in Madrid) and Willard Merrill Moffitt. She graduated from Lorimor High School in 1936, and began teaching in New Hope No 8, rural, one-room school near Lorimor, before her 18ty birthday. She attended Drake University while teaching, and pursued a successful teaching career until her marriage to Glenn on May 24, 1941. They were married at the farm home of her parents.
There were three children born of the marriage, Patricia Ann Cronk (March 3, 1945, Rebecca Jean Mataya (Aug 17, 1950), and James Glenn Allen (Oct 6, 1956). Patricia was born while Glenn was on Iwo Jima, and it was six weeks before he received new of her birth.
Jean is a charter member of Madrid’s Swede Point Questers Chapter, and serves as 1982-83 president. She is a former Sunday School teacher. She is a member of the Eastern Star and a former 35 yr member of PEO Chapter ID, here in Madrid. Glenn is an active member of the Madrid Lions, having served as president and is a member of the American Legion and the Masons. Both have been active in Christina endeavor in the local community, and Glenn was a leader in the incorporation of St Paul’s United Church of Christ, at the time of its merger with the Madrid First Methodist Church. He has twice served as Moderator of St Paul’s and has been a deacon for several years.
Glenn feels that his roots have been in the United States since 1776, being a Son of the American Revolution, and this gives rise to the strong feeling of necessity to give whatever talents are available tin service to the community.
Jean and Glenn have traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean, often accompanie4d by one or more of their family. Jean has assisted in the operation of the law office in addition to the rearing of their children. All of the children and their respective spouses, have received their baccalaureate degrees. The family has placed great value in Christian endeavor, community service and educational excellence.

Madrid History Book 1883-1983