William Potter ALLEN

ALLEN, CLAPP, RENNE, VOIGT, MCCURRY, WILSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:53

William Potter Allen
25 February 1879 --- 18 April 1953

William P., fourth son of Eugene A. and Melvina Clapp Allen, was born February 25, 1879 on the Allen Homestead south east of Eagle Grove [Troy township] and passed away at the Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, after an illness of four weeks on April 18, 1953. At the time of his passing away he was seventy four years, one month and twenty three days of age.

He grew up in the community of his birth, attending the country school and then Humboldt College, graduating in 1899. After this he taught school for a number of terms and worked on the farm.

On March 15, 1905 he was united in marriage to Mary Renne of Eagle Grove and to this union one daughter Evelyn was born. Immediately after their marriage they moved to a farm near Harrisburg, South Dakota where they lived for four years, then returning to Eagle Grove where they made their home until they moved to Des Moines in September 1943. During these years he followed the trade of Interior decorator.

During their many years at Eagle Grove Mr. Allen was a member of First Methodist Church. He was always active in church work, serving as an usher for more than fifteen years, as Church School Superintendent for a number of years and all of the time as a member of the Official Board. He and Mrs. Allen found a new church in the Highland Presbyterian church at Des Moines where they have enjoyed a fine fellowship.

Besides his church activities he was a very active in the Masonic order, having served as Master of the Lodge, also a past Patron of the Eastern Star.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, and daughter Evelyn, Mrs. W. B. Voigt of Chicago, Illinois, two granddaughters, Mary Grace and Nancy, two sisters, Mrs. Luella McCurry and Mrs. L. E. Wilson, two brothers, Edgar A. and Fred H., all of Eagle Grove. Besides the immediate family he is survived by many other relatives and a large circle of friends, both in this community and Des Moines. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, John and four sisters, Frances, Mary, Alice and Maude.

Of William Allen it can be truly said ... "He was a good man". He loved his home, his church and his community, was a loving husband and father, always ready to help in any endeavor to promote a better place in which to live.

Funeral Services were held Tuesday, April 21, at the Methodist Church, Eagle Grove, Iowa with Rev. Walter L. Meyer, Pastor of the Highland Park Presbyterian church, Des Moines officiating. Masonic rites were held on Monday evening at eight o'clock at the Wilson Chapel. Russell Blue acting as Master. Interment was held on the family lot in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
April 23, 1953