ALLEN, Elijah A. - 1914

ALLEN, MCKOEN, BLOMQUIST, JOPLIN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2009 at 15:16:31

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

ELIJAH A. ALLEN.

Elijah A. Allen, a prominent and prosperous citizen of Cleghorn, is engaged in business as a dealer in farm machinery, harness, coal and seed, and also acts in the capacity of postmaster, having been appointed to that position in 1906. His birth occurred in Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, on the 10th of December, 1861, his parents being James A. and Margaret (McKoen) Allen, the former a native of Bangor, Maine, and the latter of Ireland. James A. Allen, who was a sailor for many years, took up his abode in Scott county in 1853, purchasing a farm and carrying on general agricultural pursuits for some time. Feeling that the life of a sailor was more congenial to him, he returned to the sea and thus spent the remainder of his days, passing away in 1901. His wife was called to her final rest in September, 1900.

Elijah A. Allen was reared and educated in Davenport and after leaving the schoolroom as a student took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for eighteen years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge he had acquired. During seventeen years of that period he taught in Scott county, spending seven years in the country schools and ten years as an instructor in the public schools of Dixon. In 1899 he came to Cleghorn, Cherokee county, and accepted the principalship of the city schools. At the end of a year he resigned the position and purchased the general store of James Spinharney, conducting the same for seven years. On the expiration of that period he entered, into partnership with W. J. Patton for the conduct of an implement business and a year later purchased his partners interest, having since remained the sole proprietor of the establishment. He handles farm machinery, harness, coal and seed and enjoys an extensive and profitable patronage. Mr. Allen owns an attractive home here in addition to his business property and is accorded a place among the successful merchants and representative citizens of the community. In. 1906 he was appointed postmaster of Cleghorn and has since filled the position in a highly commendable and satisfactory manner.

In September, 1890, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Emma Blom- quist, a daughter of Andrew M. and Dora (Joplin) Blomquist, who were natives of Illinois. The father was engaged in merchandising throughout his entire business career, conducting stores at Dixon, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. His demise occurred in January, 1913, while his wife was called to her final rest in August, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three children, as follows: Stella M., who is a teacher in the Cleghorn schools; Howard A., who is attending school at Morningside, Sioux City; and Arthur, five years of age.

In his political views Mr. Allen is a stanch republican. He served as the first mayor of Cleghorn, holding the position for two years, and was then chosen a member of the town council, on which he has remained continuously since. He is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Christian church. Energetic, diligent and persevering, he is always found reliable in all his business connections and stands for the progressive element in citizenship and for trustworthiness in every relation.