My Grandfather's orphanage home.

ALLEN

Posted By: Linda J LaConte (email)
Date: 12/9/2019 at 00:24:04

My Grandfather, Oscar Frank Allen, was left an orphan on Dec. 27, 1884 when his father, Oscar Dunbar Allen passed away. His mother, Elizabeth Ann Armstrong Allen passed away earlier that year on Jan 17, 1884. My Grandfather was born on June 25, 1880 in Patterson, Madison, Iowa to Oscar and Elizabeth Armstrong Allen. My grandparents lived in our family home when I was growing up. I have a service photo of his father and also a photo of the Orphanage with some children, my grandfather among them, in front of the building. My grandmother told me that her grandmother remembered seeing my grandfather being led down the road, crying when he was a very little boy. (he'd turned three on June 25th that same year.) I wish I would have thought to ask him more about his life when he was younger. By the time I came to know him his memory wasn't really clear. He'd had a stroke in the 40s, but at least I could have asked.
His father had served in the Civil War.
Name:
Oscar D Allen
Age at Enlistment: 21
Enlistment Date: 20 Aug 1862
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Ohio
Survived the War?: Yes

Service Record:
Enlisted in Company I, Ohio 118th Infantry Regiment on 15 Sep 1862. Mustered out on 24 Jun 1865 at Salisbury, NC.

Birth Date:
abt. 1841 (13 May 1842)

Sources:
Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio National Archives: Index to Federal Pension Records

Maybe I should look in Ohio instead for a soldier's Orphanage instead of Iowa.. I would really appreciate any help.
THANK YOU,
Linda LaConte