BIOGRAPHY: Ethan Allen; Springport, Cayuga co., New York transcribed and submitted by: Ann Anderson (ann.g.anderson at gmail.com) ========================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ny/nyfiles.htm ========================================================= BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAYUGA COUNTY NEW YORK BOSTON BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 1894 ETHAN ALLEN, whose family name occupies a prominent place in the annals of New England, its members being noted for their heroic patriotism and bravery, is numbered among the prosperous agriculturists and respected citizens of Cayuga County, and is the owner of a fine and well-appointed farm, pleasantly situated in District No. 4, in the town of Springport. He is a native and to the "manner born," his birth having occurred in Springport, May 21, 1828, on the homestead which is yet in his possession. In tracing his ancestry back a few generations, it is found that his great-grandfather was Timothy Allen, a life-long resident of Vermont. His grandfather, Gideon Allen, who was a cousin of Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame, was himself a soldier in the Revolutionary War, thereafter drawing a pension for services at that trying time. In 1792 he left the Green Mountain State, which was the place of his nativity, and, coming to Cayuga County, settled in Aurora. He proved an able citizen of his adopted town, and served its interests in various ways. His death occurred March 12, 1841, at the patriarchal age of ninety-four years. He was a landholder, he and two of his friends having purchased two hundred and fifty acres of land, which was in its primitive condition; and, when the property was divided, he took ninety-five acres, which constitutes the present homestead. The maiden name of his wife was Phoebe Beardsley. She was a native of Washington County, and bore him eleven children; namely, Lemuel, Justus, Silas, Orison, Ezekiel, Zimri, Betsey, Thirza, Sally, Loraina, and Diana, the two daughters last named being twins. Zimri, the sixth child of Gideon and Phoebe, and father of Ethan of the present sketch, was born in Washington, and came to Cayuga County with his parents in the latter part of the last century. Obtaining a practical experience in the art of tilling the soil in his youth, he became a farmer by choice in his later years, remaining at home, and managing the paternal farm. During the War of 1812 he took an active part, serving until its close, subsequently drawing a pension. Returning to the homestead, he resumed his agricultural labors, making that his permanent home. In 1869 he journeyed to Michigan to visit friends, and while there was taken sick, and died on the 14th of October. He was three times married. His first wife was Abigail St. John, the daughter of Joel St. John, by whom he had four sons — Joel, Gideon, Ira, and Ethan — and two daughters, Emily and Phoebe. His second wife, who was before her marriage Ann Llewellyn, bore him two children; namely, Lewis and Martha A. His third wife, who was formerly Olive St. John, had no children. Joel, the eldest son by the first marriage, who resides in Perry, married Loraina Hathaway, of Scipio. Gideon is at present a resident of California. Ira, who married Maria Newcomb, is now a widower with two children, Lloyd N. and Nancy A. Emily married John W. Bartlett, and died July 9, 1841, leaving one son, Charles A., who resides in Providence, R.I. Phoebe married Eleazer Hathaway, and died December 5, 1887, leaving no children. Martha, daughter of the second wife, married Lebbeus Barton, by whom she had six children, four daughters and two sons; namely, Albertene, Loraina, Clara, Stella, Zimri, and Lebbeus. Ethan Allen, the fourth son of Zimri and Abigail, was reared to a strong and self-reliant manhood on the parental homestead, and was the recipient of good educational opportunities, taking advantage of which, he fitted himself for the position of an instructor of the young, and for eight terms was engaged in teaching, being thus employed in Springport, Ledyard, and in Wyoming County. Giving up his professional life, Mr. Allen became interested in agriculture, in which he was actively engaged for three consecutive years in the town of Ledyard, and afterward for ten years on a farm south of the one where he now resides, the ancestral acres, which came into his hands by purchase in 1866. At one time after coming here Mr. Allen retired from active labor for four years, and resided in the village of Union Springs, leaving his farm in the care of his son. His homestead is now in an admirable state of culture and a valuable piece of property, owing to the sound judgment and persistent energy with which he has devoted himself to its management. Mr. Allen married Mariette Schenck, a daughter of Jacob Schenck, their nuptials being celebrated in December, 1853. A sketch of the father-in-law is given in another part of this volume. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Allen three children have been born, of whom the following is the record: Charles S., who married Laura A. Grover, of Fleming, has six children — Lena G., Georgie M., E. Grover, Florence, Roy C, and an infant not yet named. Emily, who is the wife of Edwin R. Chase, of Springport, has three children — Laura L., Jesse A., and Iva M. Mary E., who married George H. King, of Scipio, has two children, the elder being Susie M. Although he does not take an active part in politics, Mr. Allen is interested in general and local affairs, and has served the town for nine years as Assessor. He has been a stalwart Republican since the formation of the party, and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont.