John W. Allen
Among the older resident of Grant County, none perhaps is better known that the late John W. Allen, who died at his home in Marion, November 21, 1913, in his seventy-second year. He was born in this county, lived here all of his life, and through many years was actively identified with business and political affairs. A larger share of his active career was spent in farming but a the same time he was always ready to accept public service, and the high esteem which was given him in his life and which followed him to the grave proved that he had been a efficient public servant, and honorable business man, and a valuable factor in his community.
John W. Allen was born in Washington Township of Grant County, March 19, 1842. His father was Wesley Allen and his mother was Rachael (Hicks) Allen, both of whom were natives of the state of Ohio and settled in Indiana among the pioneers. Wesley Allen was one of those sturdy frontiersman who carved out of the wilderness their little farms, and he spent his life as a farmer, dying about sixteen years ago. The mother of Mr. Allen died about ten years ago. There were eight children in his family, as follows: Solomon, Sanders, John, Sarah Ann, Ruth, Constantine, John W. and James. Of these, Sanders, Sarah Ann, Solomon and John W. are now deceased.
On his father's farm in Washington Township, John W. Allen was reared, and in the meantime received his education by attendance at the country schools. Before reaching his majority the country was set on fire by the noise of the guns of Fort Sumter, and in September, 1861, although only nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company F of the Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served from that time until February 1, 1866, more than four years. He was in many campaigns and notable battles, was all through the campaign about Vicksburg, fought at Champion Hill and Jackson, participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and as the culminating experience of his long career as a soldier was present and a fighter in the last battle of the war, fought near the Rio Grande River in southern Texas. After the honorable discharge he returned to Grant county, and began farming near the old homestead. That was his home until 1884, when he retired from his close attention to business affairs and removed to Marion. His brother, James now owns the old homestead. The last years of his life Mr. Allen spent in looking after his property interests in the county seat and in the country, and at Marion he had a comfortable home, where his widow now resides at 216 W. First Street.
On October 7, 1869, Mr. Allen married Miss Eliza Culbertson, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Culbertson. She was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and when she was ten years of age her parents moved from that locality to Franklin County, near Columbus, Ohio. Later they came to Grant County, where Mrs. Allen met and married her husband. They have one son, Otto G. Allen, who made his home with his father and mother in Marion. Otto G. Allen is an attorney and gives special attention to the legal interests of the Grant Trust and Savings Company. He is a graduate of the Indiana Law School, and has practiced law at Marion for twelve years. In this time he has served as deputy prosecuting attorney one term, and made a notable record for the expeditious handling of cases, seven hundred coming under his management during that time. He has been twice married. He first married Miss Lou Hamilton, a daughter of Dr. A. A. Hamilton, of Marion, and after her death married Miss Florence Riddell, who is his present wife.
For eight years the late Mr. Allen served as assessor of Center Township, the city of Marion being included within his jurisdiction. For two years he was deputy sheriff of the county. In his political views he always voted Republican and was active in the party. He was also a popular man in the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic, and at one time held the office of Senior Vice-Commander.
Submitted by: Gina Reasoner