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D. B. Allen

The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Arlington, Fayette county, Iowa. He has lived here a number of years and has been prominently identified with the business interests of the community. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of business interests and his sound judgment have brought him to a definite degree of prosperity and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by any man of energy and ambition.  In all  the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact and a history of the county would not be complete without mention of him.

D. B. Allen, the efficient and popular cashier of the First State Bank of Arlington, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 10th day of March, 1860, and is a son of J. W. and Martha (Thompson) Allen, both also natives of Ohio.  The family came to Fayette county, Iowa, in 1865, and located on a farm near Arlington.  Subsequently he moved to Blockton, this state, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-three years.  The subject of this sketch came with the family on their removal to Iowa and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age.  He received his education in the schools of the neighborhood and on attaining manhood he became employed as a traveling salesman, handling china goods and kindred lines.  His field embraced the states of Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas, and he followed this line of effort for nine years, with very gratifying results.  Mr. Allen then assisted in the organization of the First State Bank of Arlington, of which he became the first cashier, a position which he has retained to the present time. He necessarily has much of the details of the business under his immediate charge and during his connection with the institution he has given entire satisfaction to the directors and patrons of the bank. The First State Bank is one of the important and influential monetary institutions of this part of the country and has enjoyed a marked success since opening its doors.  Mr. Allen also organized and is president of the First State Bank of Lesueur Center, Minnesota, which opened for business in about 1902, and which has enjoyed a steady and satisfactory growth. At the annual meeting of the Iowa Bankers' Association, held at Des Moines, June 17, I910, he was chosen treasurer of that body. Mr. Allen is also the owner of some splendid farming land in Fayette county, which he rents, receiving one-half of the income in stock and grain. He is a man of splendid personal qualities and is in every respect fitted for the responsible position which he holds.  He is a man of rare refinement, genial and approachable, and his friends are in number as are his acquaintances. 

In 1885 Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Anna L. Newton, a daughter of Palmer and Hannah Newton, of Arlington, where Mrs. Allen was born and reared. To the subject and his wife have been born two children, M. Marie and Maynard D.

In politics Mr. Allen is a Democrat and takes a keen and intelligent interest in public affairs, though not in any sense a seeker after public office. Religiously he is a member of the Christian church, in which he is serving as elder. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.
 

~transcribed by Chuck Taylor