Allen, Andrew 1840 - 1913

ALLEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/6/2024 at 10:52:41

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 20, 1913 P2 C1

Elling Allen went to Minneapolis Saturday to attend the funeral of his uncle, Andrew Allen.

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 20, 1913 P3 C2

THE SILENT REAPER.

ANDREW ALLEN.
Just after the REPUBLICAN went to press last Thursday word came to us that Andrew Allen had died on Tuesday evening, February 11, at his home at 1166 Ross street, St. Paul, after a long illness which began early in 1912.
The story of Mr. Allen’s life as we know it began when he was a young man, employed by various firms in Decorah. He was born in Norway in 1840 and came with his parents to America in 1848 or 1849. The spirit of the man was shown in the boy, for at the age of fourteen he started out to make his own way in the world. His first undertaking was to drive a valuable horse for a trader, from McGregor to Fort Atkinson. After that he was employed by various firms in Decorah, Calmar, Ossian and McGregor. In 1868 he went up the Mississippi to Red Wing on the old steamer War Eagle, remaining there until 1875 when he removed to Decorah to take employment with the firm of Haugen & Hulverson. This relation was sustained until 1880 when he became a traveling salesman, first with the wholesale marble house of D. H. Dickinson, Chicago, in 1881 with the St. Paul Plow Co., in 1883 with the Fuller & Johnson Co., at Fargo, in 1885 and ten years thereafter with the Norwegian Plow Co. of Dubuque. In 1895 he joined the organization then known as the St. Paul Implement Co. and from then until his death was an officer of the company and its successors—the Stoddard & Allen Co. and the Midland Supply Co. In 1905 at the age of sixty-five he left the road and devoted himself to duties in the office until compelled in July last to relinquish all activities on account of ill health. In May, 1911, Mrs. Allen was stricken by paralysis. Anxiety and care for her contributed to the break-down of his health, and since August last he has been confined to his home, both he and his wife being tenderly cares for by their son Edward M. Allen and his family. Mrs. Allen passed away on December 13th.
Mr. Allen knew what pioneer life meant—he experienced it in all phases, and it had that same influence upon him which marked with success the careers of others who passed through the early days in this section. He was conscientious, persevering, faithful, always fair and honorable, and possessed the courage to face misfortune resolutely. Back of these was the loyalty of a wife who had measured steps with him through life, rejoicing in his successes and sharing his sorrows with a courage equal to his own. Both were born and baptized into the Lutheran church, but in 1872 they joined the Episcopal church at Red Wing, being received into communion by the late Bishop Whipple and Rev. Mr. Wells, afterward Bishop of Wisconsin. When they removed to St. Paul they became communicants of St. Peter’s church, a connection they retained until their death. Mr. Allen was also a member of the Masons, being a member of Red Wing Lodge No. 8, La Grange Chapter, Red Wing Commandery No. 10 and Osman Temple, St. Paul.
The funeral was held Thursday afternoon at two o’clock, at the home in St. Paul, and the remains were taken to Red Wing Friday for burial in Oakwood cemetery, beside his wife and a son and daughter who died in infancy.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born March 25, 1840.