BIOGRAPHY: Joel Allis; Lenox, Madison co., NY

submitted by W. D. Samuelsen
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Biographical Review
The Leading Citizens of Madison County, New York
pub. 1894, Boston, Biographical Review Publishing Company

JOEL ALLIS, a prosperous and well-known farmer residing on his one hundred and
thirty acre farm in the town of Lenox, where he was born in 1851, is a son of
Vinal Allis, who was born within half a mile of this place, April 16, 1816.
The father of Vinal was Joel Allis, a native of New England, born February 12,
1769. He married Sarah Lee, of Massachusetts; and they became the parents of
eleven children,- six daughters and five sons,- of whom Vinal was the
youngest. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: Electa, born December
29, 1797; Polly, January 9, 1799; Sarah, September 9, 1800; Milton, November
18, 1802 ; Asa, January 8, 1805; Sophia, November 25, 18o6; Emily, September
25, 1808; Bertha, February 10, 1811; Eber, November 25, 1812; Russel, December
22, 1814; and Vinal, the father of our subject. The mother of these children
died November 28, 1820; and the father wasagain married, and died about 1851
near Rochester, at the home of his son, Asa. He was a farmer by occupation and
a Quaker in religion, and, although of moderate means, leaving but a small
estate at his death, was a man universally honored and respected for the
excellence of his character.

Vinal Allis was brought up on the farm, and at the age of thirty-one was
united in marriage to Maryette Lee, who was born in this place June 30, 1815.
The marriage took place on the 10th of May, 1847, on our subject's present
farm, where they lived the remainder of their lives. They reared three
children,- namely: Joel, of whom we write; Josephine, wife of Edward Farr, a
hardware merchant of Canastota; and Emma, wife of Martin Fancher, a farmer of
this town. Vinal Allis died June 8, 1865, his wife surviving him ten years,
and dying May 19, 1875. They were buried on their farm, where Mr. and Mrs.
Lee, the maternal grandparents of our subject, are also sleeping. The former
of these, Joseph Miles Lee, was a native of New England and a son of Sherebiah
Lee, who was born in England November 5, 1747, and died here January 31, 1843.
The maiden name of his wife was Esther Miles. She was born March 13, 1743. and
died January 31, 1833, just ten years to a clay before her husband. Mr. and
Mrs. Lee were the first settlers in this part of the county, and were the
parents of a family of six sons and one daughter. Their son, Joseph Miles Lee,
was born July 13, 1784, and died November 18, 1847. He married Mary
Crittenden, who was born December 17, 1786, dying October 12, 1859. Their
marriage occurred about 1808 ; and they were the parents of six children,- one
son and five daughters, the son dying when an infant. Grandfather Lee left a
farm of two hundred and sixty acres, of which the present farm of our subject
formed one-half. At the time of their settlement here the country was new, and
the nearest market was Albany, one hundred and twenty-five miles away. They
were upright and religious people, and greatly liked and respected for their
many sterling qualities. Their daughters were as follows: Fidelia, who died in
infancy; Maryette, the mother of our subject; Esther; Fidelia (2d); and
Calista, who died in childhood.

Joel Allis, the subject of this biographical sketch, was reared at home, and
accustomed to farm life and work from his youth up. He received a good
common-school education, but was prevented from completing his studies at the
academy by sickness, being subject to periodical attacks of severe headache.
He was united in marriage May 30, 1879, to Miss Cornelia Harp, daughter of M.
C. Harp and his wife, formerly Mary S. Clarke, both of the town of Lenox. Asa
B. Clarke, the father of Mrs. Harp, was a native of New England and a merchant
and speculator by occupation. His death occurred in Canastota, to which place
he had removed after re-tiring from business. Mr. and Mrs. Allis have one son,
Floyd V., a bright, intelligent boy of thirteen, well advanced in his studies
and always prompt in his attendance at school, although living a mile and a
quarter away.

In September, 1891 Mr. Allis lost his barn by fire, supposed to have been
caused by a tramp. He erected soon after on its site his present fine, large
barn, 40 x 60, with a stone basement, the total expense amounting to about
$I,500. He is now engaged in general farming, and makes some butter, keeping
from six to eight cows. He is energetic and practical, acquainted with the
latest and most approved methods of agriculture, and has achieved gratifying
success in his calling.

In political matters Mr. Allis is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a Master
Mason. He and his estimable wife occupy a high place in the regard of their
fellow-citizens for their many sterling qualities, and are representative of
the best citizenship of their State and county.