VAN ALLEN, John Delbert 1850-1929

VAN ALLEN, RANSOM, HOLMES, BEVIER, MORRIS

Posted By: Michael Kearney (email)
Date: 8/19/2002 at 17:04:53

The Clinton Herald Wednesday January 2, 1929 John D. Van Allen, founder of the large department store in Clinton which is conducted under the name of John D. Van Allen & Son, company, was a direct descendent of Lorenz Van Allen who was born in Utrecht, Holland, in 1615 and who, emigrating to America, became one of those who purchased Manhattan island from the Indians for the sum of $24. It was by virtue of this ancestor that John D. Van Allen became a member of the Holland society. In the maternal line he descended from the Ransoms, who trace their ancestry to the Plymouth colony and to those who came over as passengers on the Mayflower in 1620, landing at Plymouth Rock. His parents were Abram and Olive (Ransom) Van Allen, who in 1845 removed to the middle west, settling in McHenry county, Illinois, where John D. Van Allen was born October 5, 1850. At the early age of thirteen years the latter started in business life for himself, working at a salary of $1.50 per week and from this sum saving $30 a year to send home to his mother. While yet a young man he went to New York city and for nineteen years he was employed by a Scotch linen importing house, learning every phase of the business and gaining intimate and valuable knowledge of commercial methods. His identification with the business interests of Clinton dates from July 1, 1892, when he opened a store in Fifth avenue, between Second and Third streets. A year later he removed to the present location at the corner of Fifth avenue and Second street and in 1914 the present beautiful business block was completed. The structure is four story and basement, built of steel and brick, and is one of the best buildings in Iowa. This store has thirty-four departments and provides an attractive rest room and check room for its customers. The establishment draws the best class of patronage from a radius of fifty miles in Iowa and in Illinois. As might be expected from the early business training of its founder, the store makes a specialty of handling fine linens, importing directly from Scotland, Ireland, Belgium and Austria. The business is most carefully and thoroughly systematized and the firm holds to the highest standards in the personnel of the house, in the character of service rendered to the customers and in business integrity. Mr. Van Allen married Miss Alice J. Holmes of Marshlltown, Iowa and to them were born two children, Frederick Holmes and Bessie D. The son is the vice president of the firm of John D. Van Allen & Son and his labors and efforts also constitute an important feature in the successful conduct of the business. He is likewise active in affairs relating to Clinton and her upbuilding. He married Carlotta Bevier and they have two children, John Bevier and Jane. The daughter, Bessie D. Van Allen, married Walter D. Morris, Jr., of Watertown, S.D., who is now the treasurer of the firm of John D. Van Allen and Son company. They have two children, Mary Jane and Walter David Morris III, Mrs. Van Allen passed away May 10, 1921. The Masonic fraternity found in John D. Van Allen an active and valued member who served as master of Emulation lodge, 255, A.F.&A.M.; king of Keystone chapter, 32, R.A.M.; and venerable master of De Molay consistory, A.A.S.R. He also received the degrees of K.C.C.H. and thirty-third degree frm the supreme council at Washington, D.C. He concentrated his efforts, however, upon his business affairs and for many years has been numbered among the most prominent and progressive citizens of Clinton. He earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealing was known for his prompt and honorable methods, which won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellow men.
The Clinton Herald Wednesday January 2, 1929 Fellow Business Men Pay Tributes
Profound regret and a deep sense of loss were universally expressed in business and banking circles today over the death of John D. Van Allen, senior member and founder of the firm of John D. Van Allen & Son. Co.
"I had known Mr. Van Allen for many years and had always found him to be a courteous and kind gentleman, a considerate and fair competitor in business," said Henry S. Towle of the Towle & Hypes Co. "Personally, I think he was one of the highest regarded business men in Clinton. I have always considered him first class in every way."
"My respect, esteem and affection for John D. Van Allen was most sincere," said Charles F. Tucker, who was at one time associated with the former firm of Reid & Cenger, before he established his present furniture business.
"In his passing I feel a sense of a deep personal loss, as I did in the death of A.G. Smith. Clinton as a community suffers its greatest setback in the loss of these sturdy men of unquestioned honor and integrity." "Mr. Van Allen was a wonderful asset to Clinton." Said Thomas Crawford, who had been associated with Mr. Van Allen in various civic enterprises. "He was a splendid business man. In his passing we will miss one of the business men of the old school, who adapted themselves to modern business methods."
"I will miss John D. Van Allen very much," said James McG. Leslie. "I always held him in highest esteem for his sterling qualities and regarded him highly as a brother business man. I shall miss him, too, as an old neighbor, having made my home next door to him for many years and his qualities as a neighbor were equal to those displayed in business."
"I deeply feel the death of John D. Van Allen and I know that Clinton has lost one of its most outstanding business men." Said the Rev. J.S. Leamer.
"As a pioneer merchandiser and builder he occupied a place that can hardly be filled by another.? ?I regret very much the passing of John D. Van Allen,? said Martin Morris of Martin Morris & Co. ?He and I had been friends for years and frequently played golf together. He was a wonderful business man and builder, a progressive citizen whom Clinton will miss much."
"Mr.Van Allen?s death is particularly felt by me because he was the first business in the city to extend a welcome to me when I come to Clinton to engage in business. Our friendship has endured from that time on." "Clinton has suffered a distinct loss in the passing of Mr. John D. Van Allen for so many years one of Clinton?s leading successful and conservative business men," said A.C. Smith, president of the City National bank. "His vivid personality and kindly ways impressed everyone with whom he came in contact."
"John D. Van Allen was a sterling character, a staunch and true friend and a highly moral man whose place in the city and community cannot be filled." Said President W.W. Cook of the Peoples Trust and Savings bank.
The Clinton Herald Wednesday January 2, 1929 Final Tributes Paid Memory of J.D. Van Allen Many Gather at Scottish Rite Masonic Temple for Funeral Services Today
Clinton paid a final tribute to the memory of John D. Van Allen this morning with an outpouring of citizens for the funeral services held in the Scottish Rite Masonic temple. Private interment services followed in Springdale cemetery where Mr. Van Allen, founder and president of John D. Van Allen & Son Co., was laid to rest beside the body of his wife. The Rev. J.M. Duer, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiated at services, which preceded the Rose Croix ceremonies of Delphic chapter, Knights Rose Croix, of DeMolay consistory. A.A.S.R. Masons, with Past Wise Master Frank J. Iten of the chapter officiating. Fellow thirty-third degree Masons acted as honorary pallbearers with Knights Commander of the Court of Honor as active bearers. In the great congregation that gathered in due honor to the lamented Clinton business man were men and women of all walks of life. There were present and former employees of the retail establishment that bears his name, heads and employees of competing Clinton institutions, life-long customers of the store, fraternal and business associates and many others from Clinton and elsewhere, who had come to pay their last public token of respect to a man they loved and admired for his rugged integrity and as a friend. Masonry paid its tribute in many ways - In the presence of Masons of all degrees from the lowest to the highest, not only resident in Clinton, but also in other cities, in floral emblems and in voiced tributes - for the deceased had risen high in the fraternity, because of his devotion and labors in its behalf. And Masonry was joined in its expression of sorrow with representations from the business, civic, church and social interests of the city. Opening the services, the Rev. J.M. Duer presented the scripture lesson and then delivered an eulogy to the memory of Mr. Van Allen that reviewed his life as a living monument, the greatest life to posterity in the intangible contact he had with the public. He referred to Mr. Van Allen?s interest in Masonry as one of the joys of his life and from which he had received every local honor. Mr. Van Allen gave himself to the order, said the speaker, just as he gave himself to his business, just as he gave himself to his family. Seen in his store, said the pastor, Mr. Van Allen was a merchant of the old-fashioned type, keenly concerned and taking the utmost pride in his store, in his goods, and in their quality. He was moved always by a sense of unswerving honesty and personal integrity, characteristic