W. P. ALLEN

ALLEN, MERRILL, FREY, SEARLE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/20/2024 at 17:40:58

BURLINGTON CITY.
(P. O. BURLINGTON)

ALLEN, W. P., was born in Warren Co., Ill., Oct. 24, 1854; when 12 years of age, he came with his parents to Cedar Co., Iowa; received a mercantile education at the Davenport Business College, leaving which he entered into a partnership with Theo. Frey, proprietor of the Rock Island Business College, and took charge of the Moline Branch School ; during the winter of 1874-75 he organized a three-months business school at Keithsburg Ill. ; after the expiration of that period he decided to establish a permanent school there, and remained until the spring of 1877, when he moved to Aledo, Ills. ; there opened a school, which he sold out to his brother A. M. Allen, in November 1878 ; the same month he purchased the old reliable Bryant & Stratton Business College, of Burlington, which he has since most success fully and creditably conducted. During February, 1879, he organized and opened Allen's Conservatory of Art and Academy of Design, which was placed in charge of G. C Searle, formerly of Providence, R. I. Oct. 20, 1875, Mr. Allen was married to Miss Mary F. Merrill, of Jones Co., Iowa ; they have two children - Frederick Leman and Edward Merrill.

Source: BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY IOWA
CHICAGO: WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY, 1879

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1879