OBITUARY
R. J. D. W. Allen was born in Washington Co., Virginia, January 12,
1828, died January 5, 1911, lacking only one week of being 83 years
old.  His ancestry on his father's side were Scotch- Irish convenanters
who left the old country because persecuted on the account of their
religious belief.  His mother's people were English, and settled in
Baltimore, Maryland, and were affiliated with the founders of Methodism
in America.  The deceased was a cousin of Melville B. Cox, the first
missionary sent to Africa from the United States. In his early childhood
his parents moved to Meigs county, Tenn. where he grew to manhood on a
farm.  Because of persecution of his ancestry in the old country, the
spirit of liberty was naturally a part of his being, hence when the
civil war came on he espused the cause of those in bondage, believing
that , "All people are created free and equal, and endowed with certain
inalienable rights among which are life, liberty, and pursuit of
happiness."  He served three years and 3 months in actual service, being
a volunteer in Co. H., 5th Tenn. Infantry.  He was active in politics,
always positive and decided in his views. He allied himself to the
church and educational life of the community, having given the land
where Dryden church and Black Jack school now stands. In April, 1866, he
came with his family to Illinois and settled on a farm in Elk Prairie
township, Jefferson county.  A few years later he moved to Bald Hill
township where he spent 41 continuous yrs. Mr. Allen was twice married,
first to Lavina J. McMullen, July 29, 1847, to whom 5 children were
born, of which 2 survive; Mrs. M. A. Smith, of Marion, Ill. and R. N.
Allen, at whose home he spent the last few weeks of his life.  After the
death of this companion, August 21, 1856, he was married to Elzira
Smith, August 21, 1857.  Her death occured 7 years ago today( January
7).  To this union  8 children were born, six of whom are living; W. L.;
J. F.; J. H.; and Mrs. A. A. Denton of this community; Mrs. J. W. Smith,
of East St. Louis, and Mrs. S. A. Crenshaw, of Carbondale. Of the
thirteen children, eight , 4 boys and 4 girls, are living and are here
today.  These with 26 grandchildren constitute his living posterity.Mr.
Allen was baptized in infancy, converted and joined the church at about
19 years of age.  The family altar remains as one of the pleasant
memories of all the children.Of the infuence of Bro. Allen to this
church and neighborhood eternity can tell.
Mt. Vernon Register     January 16, 1911


submitted by: Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera Sept 18, 1997

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain
the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof
of this consent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera
(© 1997 Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera)