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JAMES M. ALLEN, one of the systematic farmers of Louisa County, now residing on section 25, Columbus City Township, was born Sept. 10, 1830, in Harrison County, Ohio, and is a son of Reuben and Joanna (McMillan) Allen. Both parents were natives of Maryland, though the father was of English descent, while the mother was of Welsh parentage. When a young man Reuben Allen learned the trade of a . . .
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. . . cabinet-maker, but during the greater part of his life followed the occupation of farming. He was born in 1782, and died in Harrison County, Ohio, at the ripe old age of ninety-three years. His wife, the mother of our subject, died at the age of seventy-eight. They were both members of the Society of Friends.
James M. Allen was reared upon a farm in his native State, where he received a common-school education, and in 1861 was united in marriage with Miss Belle J. May, a daughter of Stephen and Malinda (Harper) May, and sister of H. P. May, the well-known nurseryman of this county. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Harrison County, Ohio, which Mr. Allen had previously purchased, and there resided until the fall of 1872, when he sold out and emigrated to Iowa, locating in Louisa County. For a year after his arrival he engaged in the hardware business in Columbus City, when selling out, he purchased a farm of 120 acres adjoining the city limits. This land is situated on section 25 of Columbus City Township, and is well improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of seven children: Alice, now the wife of Benjamin J. Bartholemew, of Memphis, Tenn.; Malinda, wife of Hall Neal, who lives in Columbus City; Minton R., residing at home; Emlon H., who is now a resident of Waitsburg, W. T.; Willoby W., who is at home; Emma R. and Illion, also at home. Mrs. Allen is a member of the Christian Church, of Columbus City, and, politically, Mr. Allen is a Republican. They are respected citizens in the community where they reside, and are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends.
