Allen, Amon L. (1847-1923)

ALLEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/14/2019 at 23:23:25

Amon L. Allen
Dec 5, 1847 - Feb 23, 1923

[From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.540]
AMON L. ALLEN, a substantial farmer of Layton Township, descended from a prominent American family who were early settlers of Maryland. His grandfather, Isaac ALLEN, was born in that State, settled on a farm in Harrison Co, Ohio, and died from cholera in Burlington in 1851. Hi son, Isaac ALLEN, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio and learned farming in early life. He was married in his native state to Sarah A. LEMMON, daughter of Jacob LEMMON, of Scotch descent. They were the parents of five children: Amon L., Madison, Alvin, Alice and Frank. In 1851 the father moved to Iowa, settling in Washington Co where he became a substantial farmer. He passed the remainder of his days on this farm, and was a hard-working and influential man. He held many of his township's offices and died at the age of fifty years. His son, AMON L., our subject, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, December 5, 1847, and was reared to farm life. When but three or four years of age, his father moved to Iowa so that he has passed nearly his whole life in this state. In 1882 he moved to Pottawattamie County and bought his present farm of 160 acres, which is now under good state of cultivation.

He was married in Washington Co at the age of 23 years to Mattie MAXWELL, daughter of Robert and Rachel (THOMPSON) MAXWELL. To Mr. and Mrs. ALLEN have been born two children - Sheldon and Roy. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Robert MAXWELL, the grandfather of Mrs. Allen, was born in America but his father was a native of Ireland and settled in this country in an early day. Robert MAXWELL was a farmer of Harrison County, Ohio and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was married to Martha CROWSON of Scotch descent and to them were born 11 children: William, Thomas, Robert, Samuel Martha, Rachel, John, Nancy, Walter and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell were both members of the Presbyterian Church. In 1847 they came to Iowa, settling in Washington County where the father lived to the age of 87 years.

ROBERT MAXWELL, a son of the above, was born in Harrison Co, Ohio, in 1819. At the age of 28 years, he was married to Rachel J THOMPSON, and in 1846 they settled in Washington Co, Iowa. They were the parents of nine children: Ella, Martha, Mary, Jennie, Thomas, Florence, Estella and two who died in infancy. The parents were members of the Presbyterian Church and the father was a hard-working and substantial farmer and is still living at the age of 70 years. He was one of them men who helped to build up the country in which he lived and has added his quota in making the State of Iowa one of the grandest in the Union. Thomas THOMPSON, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was also a pioneer of Ohio and lived in that State when the Indians were very troublesome. He married a lady of German descent and they were the parents of 11 children.