Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Allen, Thomas R. 1915
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Unidentified Publication, 1915

Dean of the Ionia Doctors, Esteemed Citizen, friend of the Poor, Given His Last
Earthly Resting Place.
	
In dipping into the life blood of Dr. Thomas R. Allen the grim reaper took no
inconsiderable toll from the citizenship of Ionia.

He was a man greatly esteemed in the community.  He was upright, and he was
brave in the courage of his convictions, but the greatest of his virtues was
that element of charity which was so strong in his makeup.  In his life was
peculiarly exemplified the philosophy of the words: “For the test of the heart
is trouble, And it always comes with the years.  And the smile that is worth The
homage of earth Is the smile that shines through tears.”

By nature and education, Dr. Allen was well qualified for his professional work,
his marked ability being recognized throughout the city of Ionia.  He was born
in Franklin county, N.Y., September 13, 1841, and came with his parents to
Canada when about seven years old.  His father, John Allen, a native of New
York, was a farmer and drover, and the son learned the details of farming and
the stock business when quite young.

The fundamental education of Dr. Allen was attained in the common schools and in
the grammar school at London, Ontario.  Having determined to adopt the medical
profession as his work in life, he entered the Homeopathic college at Cleveland,
from which he graduated in 1865.  Not content with this preparation, he went to
New York City and entered upon a supplemental course, but was obliged to abandon
it on account of being taken sick.  When his health was sufficiently restored to
enable him to begin practice, he opened an office in Detroit, where he carried
on his professional work three years.  Again illness interfered with his plans,
and for two years he was not able to carry on his work.  He came to Ionia June
16, 1871, and as soon as his health would permit, he began professional work
here and continued it to the end, though not actively the last six months.  He
remained, however, the only physician whom many families were willing to employ,
and took care of a few cases up to the time of his death.
	
Dr. Allen inherited a taste for fine stock and took especial pride in horses. 
He owned some excellent specimens, and driving afforded him needed recreation
and much pleasure.  He was of a social disposition and greatly enjoyed the good
comradeship found in the lodges of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows, Knights
of Pythias and Foresters, with each of whom he was identified during his life.

Dr. Allen was married Sept. 20, 1870, to Miss Elizabeth Finch, a native of
Canada, who shared his fortunes only a decade.  She died in 1880, leaving one
daughter, Mamie, who also died after reaching maturity.  After having lived a
widower until March 12, 1888, the Doctor contracted a second matrimonial
alliance, bringing to his home as his bride Mrs. Henrietta Wilson, formerly of
England who now survives him.  Miss Bertha James was a member of the family from
her childhood, and since her marriage to Charles Wagner in September, 1912, has
remained in the Allen home.  A little more than a year ago, Dr. and Mrs. Allen
adopted a niece, Miss Reva Allen, who is now thirteen years old.

The remains arrived here on Sunday morning from Chicago, where he passed away
following surgical operation in hospital, and the funeral service was attended
on Tuesday afternoon from the late home on Main street.  The service was under
the ritual order of the Masonic fraternity, Rev. A.R. Mitchell of St. John’s
church delivering the discourse.

From 2:00 to 3:00 o’clock the stores were closed in respect to the memory of
deceased, and large numbers of the business men and older residents of the city
were present at the service.  

The bearers were chosen from the Masonic order: Walter T. Smith, Dr. J.J. Culp,
Frank Macomber, G.F. Faude, O.C. Wright, and F.C. Miller.  Mrs. Eugene Smith and
Mrs. H.E. Spencer furnished the music.  Burial was in Oak Hill cemetery.

Those here from outside the city were Mrs. M. Dibbs, Mrs. Fitchett, Perry Dibbs
and Wallace Allen, all of Bad Axe; Miss Anna Edison of Windsor, Ont; Harry Allen
of Battle Creek and Dr. Newton I. Tibbitts of Grand Rapids.


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