Allen, George

ALLEN, HOUGH, BOND, MCCORD, RICE

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/23/2007 at 20:29:50

There are always valuable lessons to be gained in perusing the life histories of such men as the late George M. Allen , one of Jasper County's most popular citizens whose life forcibly illustrated what energy, integrity and a fixed purpose can accomplish when animated by noble aims and correct ideals. During the years of his residence in the county he held the unequivocal confidence and esteem of those with whom he came into contact, for he was a man whom to know was to trust and admire owing to his many commendable attributes of head and heart, when the "reaper whose name is death" gathered him in its sheaves while in the fullness of his strength and the prime of useful manhood, his irreparable loss to the community was keenly felt by all.

Mr. Allen was born in this county on December 17, 1869, the son of James T. and Sarah E. Allen, the father a soldier in the Civil war, having been a member of Company G, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, and his death occurred when his son George was thirteen years of age. Left fatherless thus early in life, it became necessary for him to put his shoulder to the wheel, and, nothing daunted, he pushed forward through every obstacle, proving his sterling innate mettle. He was educated in the public schools and for two years he attended the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, from which institution he was graduated in 1890. He was a good student and advanced rapidly, and when he was ready to begin a career for himself he was well equipped.

Turning his attention to the clothing business, he entered the employ of G. H. Hoyt & Company. Later he formed a partnership with J. B. Ammons, succeeding the first named concern, but a few years later he and Mr. Ammons dissolved partnership, and Mr. Allen associated himself with J. T. Pound in the same business. He later sold his business to a Mr. Bock and in the spring of 1908 he formed a partnership with Fred A. Jones, under the firm name of Jones & Allen, clothiers, which partnership was continued until dissolved by the death of Mr. Allen, on July 21, 1910. He was regarded as one of the leading merchants of Newton, and always enjoyed a good trade with the surrounding country as well as the city, for he was uniformly courteous and considerate to his hundreds of patrons, all of whom were his friends, for he believed in injecting the Golden Rule into his every-day affairs and he therefore had not only the confidence but the good will of those with whom he had dealings. He was a man of good judgment, keen discernment and managed well, consequently he was succeeding most admirably when his career was suddenly cut short by the common fate of humanity.

On June 17, 1896, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Grace Hough, who survives him. She was the daughter of William H. and Sarah E. (Bond) Hough, both natives of Virginia, born in the Shenandoah Valley in Loudoun County, where Mr. Hough was a prominent and influential Quaker.

Mr. and Mrs. Hough were married at Waterford, Loudoun County, Virginia, May 22, 1850, and they came to Iowa in 1858, locating in Newton, and for a time Mr. Hough freighted goods between that city and Grinnell. He was a man of much native ability and he took considerable interest in political affairs and was highly respected wherever he was known. For many years he owned and conducted a grocery store here. He was elected county recorder of this county on the Republican ticket for two terms, performing the duties of that office in a most satisfactory manner. His death occurred in Newton on April 16, 1894, when seventy-one years of age, his birth having occurred on November 27, 1823. He was a member of the Methodist church and a prominent worker in the same, having united with the same soon after he came to Newton, although he had been reared a Quaker. For many years he was class leader in the local congregation and he also served his church as treasurer. His wife was born on January 17, 1832, and her death occurred in Newton on October 20, 1908. She was a woman of the finest personal characteristics.

Mrs. Grace (Hough) Allen was born in the house which she now occupies, on January 25, 1872, and it has been her home ever since. All her girlhood pleasures are connected with the place, the joys of her young wifehood, and later the place became hallowed to her as the place wherein her devoted life companion spent his last days on earth and also as the place from which both her beloved parents passed into the mystic beyond, and here, too, she was led to the happy hymeneal altar.

Mrs. Allen was graduated from the local high school in 1890, and she has been prominent in musical affairs from childhood. She is now a member of the choir of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in fact, she has been singing in this choir since she was a schoolgirl. She has a splendid alto voice which delights all who have the pleasure of hearing her sing. Mr. Allen was also a singer of exceptional ability as well as a thorough musician, and for years he was a well-known figure in the choir of the Methodist church with his wife, and he was also a member of the Newton band. His voice, rare and well trained, was frequently heard at funerals and upon memorial occasions.

Besides Mrs. Allen , the following children constituted the family of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hough: Mrs. E. E. McCord, Arthur and Fred, all living in Newton.

Surviving Mr. Allen, besides his wife, is a sister, Mrs. Carrie Rice, of Pueblo, Colorado, and Roy Allen, who is in the printing business in Newton.

At the time of his death Mr. Allen was treasurer of the Methodist Church. He was a prominent Mason, being a member of the blue lodge; he was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a charter member of the Newton Hunting and Fishing Club. He had no children. He was a man of engaging personality, genial, kind and generous almost to a fault, ever true to all that was best and noblest. All who knew him felt the personal charm of the man, for they knew him to be a man not only of exceptional ability, but an advocate of all that meant progress in material, civic and moral lines.

The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 512.