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[ALLEN FAMILY PLOT MARKER] |
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June 30, 1851 - March 19, 1933 |
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X. DELOS ALLEN RITES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW ---- Funeral Services for Pioneer Coal Operator To Be Held From Son's Home ---- The life of Mr. Allen is closely interwoven with the early history of this community, as was that of his parents, Jacob and Mary Allen, who came west shortly after the birth of their son, to make a home on the western prairies. Jacob and Hetty Allen located in what was then Hardscrabble, now known as Streator, and it was here that the former established his office as squire of the community, the first to hold that honor. Xury Delos Allen was born at Gilboa, N.Y., on June 30, 1851. The town of Gilboa is no more, having been wrecked and obliterated to make way for the reservoir, which supplies New York City with water. Mr. Allen was one of those who regretted to see the place inundated with water, as it was the home of his ancestors, which nestled in the Catskill mountains. The dam was completed several years ago. The marriage of X. Delos Allen and Miss Maria Redfern occurred in Pontiac, December 15, 1875 and it was their great happiness to observe their golden wedding together in 1925. Mrs. Allen died in 1927, two years after the happy celebration. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are dead, Arther Allen in 1904, and Mrs. Edward Evans in 1913. Only the son Ellsworth is left, together with two grandchildren, Bonnie and Arthur Allen. There is also a sister, Mrs. Ella Mathes of Garber, Okla. Mr. Allen is numbered among the early pioneering coal operators of this locality, having opened many mines along the Coalville Road. For a number of years past, he and his son have been operationg a mine there, and in addition, Mr. Allen engaged in farming in a small way to pass otherwise wearisome hours. Mr. Allen never tired relating bits of history concerning his pioneering. He often spoke of his early endeavors, how he worked upon the bridge that brought the first railroad into Streator, and other early adventures. His mind was keen until the last, his interest in community affairs never wavering. This was particularly noticeable on Saturday evening, when he refused to retire until the final score of the Streator-Mahomet basketball game was given him. He was also a keen admirer of the Chicago Cubs. Mr. Allen was active in spite of his 81 years, his last illness coming upon very suddenly on Saturday, when a physician was called and a nurse secured. The family was not alarmed, however, until on Sunday, when it was noted that heart complications had developed. |
