Ethan Allen (1851-1883)

ALLEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/31/2010 at 10:41:23

From Story County Watchman February 1, 1884

In Memoriam

IN MEMORIAM.--Ethan, son of W. G. and Mary M. Allen, of Nevada, Iowa, died June 10th, 1883, at Old Town, Craighead County, Ark. He was born at Midway, Madison Co., Ohio, August 11th, 1851. When near five years old he, with his parents, emigrated to Story County, Iowa in April, 1856. Here he obtained a liberal education in our common schools. He was student also at the Iowa State Agricultural College for a time in 1869. Quitting it he tried the jewelers trade in the fall of 1869 with that worthy man J. C. Miller of Marshalltown. Had he continued long enough it is said, he would have made a good workman. He then thought a course a Baylies Commercial College at Keokuk, Iowa, would more fully fit him for business. He commenced here Nov. 14th, 1870, and passed through by March 21, 1871. Receiving a Diploma at the close of the term, and his father received a special certificate as to his studious perserverence and good conduct in college. After he had passed and received his degree, "M. A." he was noticed using intoxicating liquors. The president, W. H. Miller, told E's father had it not been for that he soon could have secured him a place in business at $100 a month. Ethan then took his compass, Aug. 1871, and went to Lyon county, Ia. There he engaged in surveying and soon elected County Surveyor of Lyon county. He remained there for som time, but got it into his mind he would do better in Nobles county, Minn. After going there he soon became Dept. county Surveyor of Nobles county, and associatedhimself with Messrs Miner & Shuck of Worthington, and done a general Land Agency business locating emigrants, &c.

This was during 1873. His book shows he made money there but did not save it. Keeping up his rule of change he went west to Utah. Stopped a while at Green river and worked on the railroad bridge that crosses over the river. This was 1875. From this he came home, remained a while and then went to Illinois and Indiana. Was in and near Indianapolis during the autumn and winter of '75-'76. From this he again returned home where he remained till the 14th of May, 1877. He then strated with compass and outfit for Texas. Done considerable surveying in Dallas county, Texas and some near Ft. Worth. For a time he helped to survey on the extension of the Texas & Pacific R. R. Made his home for a time at Mr. J. M. Spillers of Dallas county and was well acquainted in the county, and was the means of getting considerate surveying for Ethan. After he had gone further west into Throckmorton and other new counties Mr. Spillers wrote the following letter. He said, "You need not fear your son't integrity, nor, I will say, his ability. He left in fine spirits. No young man ever came into our neighborhood and made better acquaintances and a better mix with the people than your son did. O, he is a pleasant gentleman. He made my house his home, indeed I was fond of him. He was made one of the members of my own family while he staid. I tried to get him to stay till cold weather, but he had a chance to be county Surveyor of Throckmorton county so I could not insist." Ethan was very sick for a while when near the line of New Mexico, but managed to get back to the settlement at Ft. Phantom Hill. Finally got to his uncle Jared Allen's. Remained there till his health was such that he could travel. He got back to Mr. Spillers, but was there only a short time till Mr. S. was taken seriously ill from which he never recovered. Ethan left here for Wise county, where he taught school awhile as reported. He then left Texas for Arkansas. Here for a time was unsettled. Went to St. Louis where he engaged to survey, at low water mark, the Mississippi river for the improvement of navigation, and to make a profile of it. In consequence of this he was at various points on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans. He soon after this done surveying in Crittenden, Mississippi, Poinsett and Craighead counties, Ark.; and Cape Girardeau county, Mo. He assisted the city engineer on level and transit work on the streets of Memphis, Tenn. He came home from Ark. Oct 12th 1882, having been south over 5 years.

His health was not good, but on the 25th Oct. he started for Dakota. Was there but a very short time when he had a severe attack of fever, but getting home again was under the doctor's care for a time. Health improves he started for Arkansas Dec. 12th, 1882. The County Surveyor of Craighead couty seemed desirous to get him back to aid him in surveying. A letter from the county surveyor giving good encouragement as to work was the main cause of his return to Arkansas.

As is understood Ethan was the Superintendent of a preliminary railroad survey, using the level running from Harrisburg to Newport; but in consequence of high water, or an overflow, the work was abandoned for the time. He then pursued, as his books and field notes show, his regular surveying near the St. Francis, Tyronza and Little rivers in Craighead and Poinsett co's. On going down from Iowa he stopped in Cape Girardeau county, Mo., and was appointed deputy county surveyor of that county, and did some surveying and received the following from the county surveyor of Cape Girardeau co., Mo.:

Jackson, Mo. March, 1883.
To whom it may concern: I recommend Mr. Allen as a capable and accurate surveyor.
N. C. FRISSELL, Co. Surv'r.

His objective point, however, was Craighead county, Ark., as referred to above, and after reaching there was appointed deputy county surveyor of Craighead county. Was also soon after appointed deputy county surveyor of Poinsett county. Six weeks after this he was nearly ready to return home aain when the fatal accident occured at Old Town. Those who claim to know say: "He engaged in a friendly wrestle or scuffle with another man and was thrown with his head striking on an anvil. He got up and had the would dressed and was around for some time, but finally went home with Capt. Stroud with whom he boarded. Late in the evening or at night, he complained more and Capt. S. gave him a dose of morphia to ease the pain and produce sleep. The dose and shock proved too much for him, and when sleep came he never awoke again."

He had been in 19 states and territories and lacked only two months of being 32 years old at his death. He had seen much in his adventures, and had paid much for it. His generosity helped to injure him for his associates would take advantage of his liberality. The following extracts are copied from letters received by his father from other parties from time to time.--Mr. M. Long, of Pittsboro, Indiana, says: "I would love to have him next summer with me but with the education he has he can do better elsewhere." Mr. Cal Berger, editor of a paper in Albia, Iowa says: "I had been waiting patently an answer to my letter from my loved brother, for as such Ethan seems to me, and none came. Ethan was my brother schoolmate." Prof. W. H. Miller, President of Baylies Commercial College said: "He [Ethan] has a good mind, and under the right circumstances, will make a smart man; but he is so free hearted as to be his own worst enemy." Capt. H. M. Stroud says: "I loved Ethan as a brother; nothing was too good for him and that is what make it so hard to bear. The community generally regretted his death. He had some warm friends that admired him greatly."

Mrs. E. Stroud, wife of the Capt., says: "Ethan's death had caused me more sorrow than anything that ever happened outside of my own little family. * * He seemed more like one of my hown family than any person I had only known a few months. Capt. Stroud does not seem the same since Ethan's death. If Ethan had been his own brother he could not have thought more of him, or have taken a greater interest in him." Peter Baker Esq. of Nevada, Iowa, once said: "Ethan Allen can give me more information in 15 minutes talk than any young man I ever talked with."

About 4 1/2 months before his death he wrote the following to his parents: "I am trying to have a new life altogether and if I am relieved fully which I confidently believe I will be, of my desire to engage in past time not conducive to my own good. I believe there will be a good deal of work to be done here. May God bless you both is my earnest wish. ETHAN."

He had passed through many narrow risks of death in his numerous adventures, and at last met death suddenly and when little expected. At this time his parents were looking for him on every train from the west. But instead of meeting him at that train, they received the following dispatch: "Nettleton, Ark. June 10th '83: To W. G. Allen, Nevada, Iowa. Ethan died this morning. Answer immediately when you can come. HENRY M. STROUD"

O, what unexpected and sad news to his parents! He now sleeps in death at Oldtown near the shore of Lake St. Francis, Ark.

This biographical sketch has been withheld until the present, still trusting his remains would be brought to Nevada for final burial when appropriate services would have taken place. But circumstances, which his parents cannot control, make it impossible to bring his remains now, and perhaps never. Hence, this reminiscence at this late hour.

A FRIEND.