VAN ALLEN, John D.

VAN ALLEN, RANSOM, HOLMES, BEVIER, MORRIS

Posted By: Michael Kearney (email)
Date: 1/29/2002 at 18:19:00

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.