Grundy-Iroquois County IL Archives Biographies.....Allan, William R June 16, 1848 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 3:03 am Author: Bio & Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy Counties William R. Allan There is probably no better indication of the enterprise and business interests of a town than its hotels, and the Carson House, of which Mr. Allan is proprietor is representative of the enterprising spirit which dominates Morris. This is one of the best hotels in central Illinois, receiving from the public a liberal and well merited patronage. Its proprietor is a genial, courteous gentleman who commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. He was born in Scotland, June 16, 1848, in Newton Grange, in the county of Edinburg, his parents being David and Elizabeth (Telfert) Allan, also natives of that land. In 1879 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, spending their last days in Morris. They had four sons and two daughters. In the public schools William R. Allan obtained his education, but his advantages were very meager, as he began to earn his own living at the early age of seven years. Extensive reading, however, together with wide experience in the practical affairs of life, has made him a well informed man. At the age of seven he began working in the mines of Scotland and was largely employed in that division of labor till twenty-two years of age, when, in 1870, he sailed for America, believing that he might benefit his financial condition in a land where ambition and energy are not fettered by caste or class. Landing in New York, he came at once to Morris and for a year was engaged in coalmining. On the expiration of that period he joined his eldest brother, David Allan, in leasing mines at Morris, operating the same for three years. He was then engaged in merchandising for twelve consecutive years, and on the expiration of that period carried on farming for two years in Iroquois county, Illinois. Subsequently he removed to Ottawa, where he conducted a restaurant for about seven months, and in 1888 he came to Morris, where he assumed the management of the Carson House. A contemporary publication has said: “The Carson House enjoys the reputation of being one of the best hotels in this section of the country. Everything from cellar to attic is clean, cozy and homelike. The rooms are large and comfortable and you could not ask for any better accommodation in any city than you get at this hotel, the tables being supplied with each and every delicacy that the mind of an expert 'chef' can devise, and served by a corps of polite and attentive waiters. For more than eleven years Mr. Allan has been its proprietor and is well known to the traveling public. He is very popular among traveling salesmen and has won many friends among that class of business men. On the 22d of September, 1875, Mr. Allan was united in marriage to Miss Janet B. Patrick, a native of Maryland, and of Scotch parentage. They have five children: Thomas A. N., David Alexander, William R., Lillie J. and Roy Carson. Mr. Allan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a very prominent Mason, taking the initiatory degrees in 1878, when on a visit to his old home in Scotland. A year later he joined Cedar Lodge, No. 124, F. & A. M., of Morris, and has since taken the Royal Arch and Knight Templar degrees, belongs to Orient Chapter, No, 31, R. A. M., and Blaney Commandery, No. 5, K. T. He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite in Oriental Consistory, is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and belongs to Laurel Chapter, No. 145, O. E. S. A worthy exemplar of this ancient craft, his life is in perfect harmony with its humane and fraternal teachings. His wife is also a member of the Eastern Star. His political support is given to the Republican party, but he has neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to devote his energies to the conduct of the Carson House, which he has made one of the most popular hostelries in this section of the state. He certainly deserves great credit, for at the tender age of seven years he started out in life for himself. The difficulties and obstacles impeded his progress but he has overcome these by determined purpose, steadily working his way upward to a position of affluence. Source: "Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, Illinois", Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, Pages 517-518 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/allan126nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb