Allen, Albert 1872 - 1940

ALLEN, OLSON, HIRSCH, CHAPMAN, FRITZ, TORNES, LARSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/26/2023 at 01:00:51

Clayton County Register, 13 Nov. 1940.

Funeral services were held for Albert Allen last Friday afternoon at one-thirty at the late home and at two o'clock at the Congregational church, with burial in the East Side cemetery, the Rev. N. O, Bartholomew officiating. Casket-bearers were: Max B. Bishop, H. M. Wolf, P. C. Buckman, G. J. Graf, W. W. Davidson and Ray Kregel.

Albert Allen, the son of Hans and Anna (Olson) Allen, was born at McGregor on Sept. 20, 1872, and died of a stroke at his home here last Wednesday afternoon, reaching the age of 68 years, 1 month and 16 days.

He received his education in the rural schools of this county and at Luther college, in Decorah. Until he reached manhood he lived on a farm. In 1902 he came to Elkader to establish a machine shop where he was followed a year later by his brother Oley and, together, they established the first automobile business in this county.

That the automobile venture was a success is attested by the growth of the firm - first as Allen Bros., and later as Allen Motor company with a large and modern garage building here and also at Cedar Rapids. The deceased, at the time of his death, was president of the company.

In May, 1897, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Nettie Hirsch at McGregor and three children were born to this union - Raymond H. and Alvin W., both of Cedar Rapids, and Maurine Allen Chapman of Milwaukee, Wis. These, together with the widow, survive as do two grandchildren and eight brothers and sisters, as follows:

Mrs. Carrie Beckett, Dubuque; Mrs. Esther Fritz, McGregor; Mrs. Catherine Tornes, Evanston, Ill.; Mrs. Mary Larson, McGregor; Lemuel Allen, Slater, Iowa; Andrew Allen, Cedar Rapids; Oley Allen, Elkader; and John Allen, Waterloo.

The deceased was a member of the local Masonic lodge and the consistory at Cedar Rapids as well as the M.W.A. of this place. For a number of years he was a member of the Town Council during a time when Elkader showed much advancement. Of a quiet disposition, he was more active in the advancement of this town than many realized; he was a progressive citizen supporting any movement that was to the interest of the community and in this respect his absence will be keenly felt.