Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 445

ALEXANDER ALLEN, residing on section 4, Pike Township, and a pioneer of 1851, is among the leading farmers of Muscatine County. He was born in Switzerland County, Ind., on the 3d of August, 1822, and is a son of David and Elizabeth ( Jackson ) Allen, the former of English ancestry, and the latter of German and Irish parentage. The father was born in the State of New York, April 11, 1800, and with his father removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Later, going to Switzerland County, Ind., Mr. Allen there formed the acquaintance of Elizabeth Jackson, who afterward became his wife. She was born in New York in 1805, and was a distant relative of Andrew Jackson. Twelve children were born of their union, six sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to man and womanhood with the exception of one son, who died in infancy, and Elizabeth, who died at the age of fifteen years. Sarah becvame the wife of Japhtha Pickett, but is now deceased ; David died about the year 1870 ; James M. C. yet resides near the old home in Indiana ; Joseph departed this life at the age of twenty-six ; Rosetta wedded Jonas Lee, and they are now living in Switzerland County, Ind.; Alvira is the widow of George Gleason ; Phoebe is the wife of Columbus Steepleton, of Switzerland County, Ind.; Moses B. is also a resident of that county, and Georgia Ann is the wife of Albert Ricketts. The mother of these children died Aug. 25, 1885, while the father died Oct. 7, 1888, in his eighty-ninth year.

Alexander Allen, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of his native county, and throughout his entire life he has followed the occupation of farming. Remaining under the parental roof until the age of twenty-one, he was then united in marriage with Miss Eliza C. Bowman, their union being celebrated on the 7th of March, 1844. Mrs. Allen was a native of Virginia, born July 15, 1819, and was a daughter of Philip and Isabel ( Richardson ) Bowman. After their marriage the young couple rented a farm in Switzerland County, Ind., where seven happy years were passed, but in 1851 they decided to cast their lot with the pioneer settlers of Iowa. Choosing Muscatine County as the scene of their future labors, Mr. Allen pre-empted eighty acres of land on section 4, Pike Township, and upon that farm, which for over a third of a century has been his home, he began pioneer life. The land was in a wild state, no improvement had been made and not a rod of fence built, but the work of cultivation was at once begun, and from the unbroken prairie has been developed a fine farm. Mr. Allen has added to his original opurchase until he now owns 150 acres in the home farm, 110 of which is under a fine state of cultivation.

Seven children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Allen. David M., who is now a carpenter and builder of Kansas City, Mo.; Mary B., wife of Michael Sheeley, a farmer of Webster Co., Neb.; Julia D., who wedded Ezra M. Wiker, a carpenter and builder in Kansas City, Mo.; John F., who is engaged in farming in Cowley Co., Kan.; Olive B., wife of Byron B. White, a carpenter and builder, residing in Winfield, Kan.; and Rhoda A., who is engaged in teaching in Cowley Co., Kan., and makes her home with her brother John. On the 3d of February, 1888, the mother of these children was called to her final rest. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

For thirty-seven years Mr. Allen has been one of the leading farmers of Muscatine County. Coming to Iowa in limited circumstances, by energy and enterprise he has gained a competance and is the owner of one of the most comfortable homes in Pike Township. He has ever aided in the advancement of the interests of the community, has given liberally of his means to the upbuilding of the church, and has done all in his power to promote the educational interests of the community. Though never having sought public office, he has filled several positions of trust in the township, and has been solicited to fill many others but refused, much preferring the quiet of home life. He has always been a strong supporter of the Democratic party, unswerving in his allegiance, but gives to all the right of opinion. His honest, upright course of life, his genial manner and his kindliness of heart have won him the entire confidence of the community and made for him many warm friends. A portrait of Mr. Allen is shown upon another page.


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