Emma Gillett Allen 1850-1924

ALLEN, GILLETT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/8/2010 at 00:26:03

Mrs. F. E. Allen Dies
Word Came Saturday of the Death of One of Our Pioneer Ladies in the West

A message was received here on Thursday from Atty. Donald G. Allen announcing the death of his mother, Mrs. Emma G. Allen, at Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday last.

Mrs. Allen was the wife of Francis E. Allen, and both were pioneers of this city. Mr. Allen was an early attorney and was the founder of the First National bank of this city. He passed away at his home in Estherville in 1899 and Mrs. Allen remained here a few years and then moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she has resided until the time of her death. Her son, Edward Allen, was also a resident of that city.

Mrs. Allen was Miss Emma Gillett and on May 12, 1874, just about fifty years ago she was united in marriage to F. E. Allen of this city. To this union were born four children. The little daughters passed away and the sons, Donald and Edward, grew to manhood here, studied law, Donald is now practicing in Des Moines and Edward in Los Angeles.

In the early days Mrs. Allen came here from Lost Island, Clay county, and was a teacher in the pioneer schools here. It was at this time she became acquainted with Mr. Allen who was in the mercantile business in this city at that time.

Mrs. Allen was an active member of the P.E.O.’s and took a great interest in club work while a resident of this city. Until recent years she was the owner of the residence now occupied by the Birney hospital which was erected by her husband only a short time before his death.

The funeral services were held in Los Angeles, Calif., and the remains laid away temporarily in a Mausoleum in Rosedale cemetery, Los Angeles, until her final resting place is decided upon. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, May 7, 1924)

Emma G. Allen Died Suddenly in California
Well Known Estherville Lady and Former Resident
Daughter of D. Gillett
Wife of Frank E. Allen Organizer of First National Bank – Prominent Club Woman

W. A. Ladd received a telegram Friday morning conveying the sad news of the death of Mrs. Emma G. Allen which occurred at Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday evening, April 30th. The news of her death was a shock to Estherville friends as it was not known that she was ill. The telegram came from her son, Donald, who stated that funeral services would be held Saturday and burial would be there. Deceased was well known to many Estherville people. She was a pioneer resident of this city and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gillett and later the wife of Frank E. Allen, long identified with financial interests in Estherville. We believe he was the organizer of the First National Bank of this city and its president for many years. He built a magnificent home on east Lincoln street which is now the Birney Hospital and where Mrs. Allen made her home for many years after his death. For the past fifteen years she has made her home in California. Two sons, Edward and Donald, are left to mourn her death besides many Estherville people who knew her so well. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, May 7, 1924)

Mrs. Emma G. Allen Dies in Los Angeles, California
Was One of the Prominent Women of This City and Leader in All Enterprises of Pioneer Days
Had Made Los Angeles Twelve Years – Burial Made There

Word was received here Thursday of the passing of Mrs. Emma G. Allen on Wednesday, April 30, at her home in Los Angeles, California. Her death came suddenly and her friends here were unaware that she was ailing. She was seventy-five years of age. Burial was made at Los Angeles.

She was here during the past summer looking after business mattes and visiting with friends. She spent part of each year with her son Don at Des Moines.

Mrs. Allen had made her home in California for the past twelve years but was one of the early pioneers of this city. She came here as a teacher over fifty years ago, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Gillett living at Gillett’s Grove near Spencer. They had come to that place from Michigan. Before coming to Estherville, Mrs. Allen, then Emma Gillett had taught school at Lost Island.

As a member of the same boarding house Miss Gillett met Frank Allen to whom she was married in 1874. They lived happily together until Mr. Allen’s untimely death in 1899. There were three children born to this union, one daughter Kitty who preceded her parents in death. Two sons, Ed of Los Angeles, and Don, an attorney of Des Moines, survive their mother.

Mrs. Allen with her husband endured the various uncertainties of pioneer business life but Mr. Allen’s perseverance and business sagacity enabled him to leave his family in more than comfortable circumstances. He was the founder and president of the First National Bank of this city.

The deceased was an able helper to her husband and her ability and leadership was shown in the position that she took in the then little town. She organized the first Woman’s Club in Estherville, was one of the first to instigate the founding of a library. She was the first worthy matron of the Eastern Star Chapter, and the first regeant of the D.A.R.’s She was also the motive power in the organizing of the Park and Cemetery Improvement club. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, May 7, 1924)

Remains of Mrs. Allen Brought Here for Burial
The body of Mrs. Emma G. Allen was brought here from Los Angeles, California, last Friday evening and interred in Oak Hill cemetery by the side of her husband, and two little daughters who died in infancy. The remains were accompanied by her sons, F. E. Allen of Los Angeles, and Donald Allen of Des Moines, and also Mrs. Donald Allen.

Mrs. Allen died in California last spring. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, September 3, 1924)

Now in Oak Hill Cemetery
The remains of Mrs. Emma G. Allen were exhumed and brought here for re-burial from California last week. She died in California last winter and was buried there until arrangements could be made to bring the remains here and placed beside her late husband, F. E. Allen, in Oak Hill Cemetery. Both Mr. and Mrs. Allen were pioneer residents of Estherville, Mr. Allen passing away some twenty-five years ago. Edward Allen, a son, accompanies the remains from California. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, September 3, 1924)