Robert C. Allen (1855-1908)

ALLEN, HUNTER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/2/2017 at 20:24:04

From Nevada Representative March 30, 1908

OBITUARY

DEATH OF ROBERT ALLEN

Robert Allen, otherwise "Bob", familiarly and most favorably known in this county and all along the line of the Northwestern from Boone to Clinton and beyond, died Saturday morning at the home in Ames of his sister, Mrs. Anna Hunter, with whom he has for some years made his home. Mr. Allen had for some little time been in declining health, and a few weeks ago, he went to Hot Springs, Arkansas. While he was there a too radical change in treatment brought on acute troubles including uraemic poisoning and in view of his increasingly critical condition he was brought home to die. This was barely accomplished for he arrived at Ames late Friday evening and died there twelve hours later.

Mr. Allen was in the neighborhood of 58 years of age, a bachelor, and man of ability, influence and standing. He had for more than thirty five years been identified with the bridge gang of the Northwestern railroad on this division and for the most of that time he had been foreman of the gang. In this capacity he was charged with the construction of large bridges, and his good judgment in the work and his tact in dealing with large forces of men were a like notable. He was born near Muscatine and reared at or near Colo, and removed about twenty years ago to Ames, where he has since had his headquarters. He was universally popular, never asked for himself in politics but probably counted more than anyone else in his community in helping the ambitions of his friends toward realization.

Besides his sister already noted, Mr. Allen leaves brothers Luther, John and David, and another brother, Dudley, was killed a number of years ago by a switch-engine in Des Moines. He was an active member of the Masonic order, and his funeral at Ames this afternoon will be attended by Masons, railroad men and friends from near-by and from a considerable distance.