Allen, Amanda Matilda (Parvin) 1841-1919

ALLEN, PARVIN, MCDONALD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/5/2010 at 15:56:40

The Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) Friday, Feb. 7, 1919

MRS. A.M. ALLEN DIES.

Well Known Grinnell Resident Dies at Soldiers' Home.

Many friends were saddened to learn of the death Wednesday morning of Mrs. Amanda Matilda (Parvin) Allen at the hospital at the Soldiers' Home in Marshalltown. Mrs. Allen had been sick about six weeks with valvular disease of the heart, and the end was not unexpected.

Mrs. Allen was born at Muscatine February 4, 1841, so at her death was but one day over seventy-eight years. While visiting relatives in this vicinity, and teaching at Westfield before the war, she met here Eli Allen, who afterward became her husband.

Mr. Allen enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry. Just following the close of the war the young couple were married at Muscatine, August 27, 1865. Since which time Grinnell has been the home of Mrs. Allen. Of course since Mr. and Mrs. Allen went to the Soldier's Home nearly ten years ago, where he died soon after, Mrs. Allen has had no fixed home in Grinnell, but her home friends had always made Grinnell feel like home to her. She made frequent visits here, and was always present on Decoration Day.

Mrs. Allen was an active and conscientious member of the M.E. church, and was especially active and enthusiastic in the work of the Woman's Relief Corps. She was a teacher in her younger days and encouraged and fostered a love for education in her children. Her daughter, Ella, who came from Montana to be with her during her last illness, graduated from high school in 1889 and proved worthy of the inspiration she received from her mother.

The son, Frank, lives in Des Moines and has always been a help and comfort to his mother.

The body was brought to Grinnell this morning, and the funeral was held this afternoon at 2:30 from the M.E. church, in charge of the local W.R.C., with whom she has worked and to which she has given many happy and enthusiastic hours, to teach a true patriotic spirit to the young.

Frank Allen and wife came down yesterday from Des Moines and are stopping at the home of Wm. Knapp. Mr. Allen went to Marshalltown last night and with his sister, Mrs. Ella Allen McDonald of Missoula, Montana, who has been with her mother since New Year's, accompanied the body to Grinnell this morning. Francis Allen of Oskaloosa and Ed Allen of Des Moines are also here to attend the funeral.

Among those present to attend the funeral are: J.H. Harden, wife and daughter, Audra, of Montezuma; Jas. W. Allen and wife, D.M. Allen and Miss Sarah Allen, Geo. Johnson and wife, and A.T. Allen, wife, son Ralph and daughter, Mary, of Searsboro.

Mrs. McDonald will go tonight to Des Moines with her brother for a short visit before returning to Missoula.

NOTE: This obituary was goofed up and some paragraphs out of order. Hopefully this makes more sense. MH