I. Allen Cornwell Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1083-1084 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				I. ALLEN CORNWELL. 

	I. Allen Cornwell, who is engaged in the abstract business at 
Faulkton, was born at Arcade, New York, March 18, 1853, a son of John 
and Violetta (Seaman) Cornwell. The father was born in Yorkshire, 
England, and became a marine in the English navy, but when a young man 
crossed the Atlantic to America to become a citizen of the United 
States. His wife was born in Herkimer county, New York, and they always 
retained their residence in the Empire state. 

	I. Allen Cornwell completed his education in the Arcade (N. Y.) 
Academy and when eighteen years of age began learning the painter's 
trade in his native town, where he followed the business for about 
three years. He then turned his attention to newspaper interests as 
publisher of the Arcade Leader for about three years, on the expiration 
of which period he devoted three years to the study of law. Although he 
was admitted to the bar in 1888 he has never practiced but he has found 
his knowledge of law of value in conducting his own business. In 
February, 1883, he arrived in Dakota territory, settling three miles 
from La Foon. A party of five made the trip from Arcade and took up 
their abode in the same locality. After living upon his farm for three 
years Mr. Cornwell has elected to the office of register of deeds and 
removed to Faulkton, filling the position in an acceptable manner for 
two years, at the end of which time he joined P. H. Wilson in 
organizing the Faulk County Abstract Company. The business was 
incorporated in 1889 and he has since devoted his entire time thereto, 
having now a very complete set of abstracts, while in the conduct of 
his business he is accurate and reliable. He is still the owner of 
valuable farm lands in Faulk county and his realty holdings include 
residence and business property in Faulkton. 

	In 1885 Mr. Cornwell married Miss Katie M. Deer, who was born at 
Olin, Iowa, a daughter of Chalkley H. and Jane (Kemp) Derr, who were 
natives of Ohio and in 1883 came to South Dakota, settling at La Foon, 
Faulk county. In the fall of 1883 the father was elected county judge 
and served upon the bench for twelve years, making a most excellent 
record in office by reason of the fair and impartial manner in which he 
discharged his duties. He passed away in April, 1915, having for a 
number of years survived his wife. He was an honored veteran of the 
Civil war, having enlisted as a private in Company I, Nineteenth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, while his valor and loyalty later won him 
promotion. Mrs. Cornwell was the eldest of three children and by her 
marriage has become the mother of six children: Gertrude E., the wife 
of Frank A. Oulton, who is engaged in the elevator and grain business 
at Chouteau, Montana; Frances G., living at home; Mary V., who is 
official stenographer and secretary of the Faulk County Abstract 
Company; John C., who is filling a clerical position in the office of 
the register of deeds of Hennepin county, Minnesota; Essie J., a 
teacher, living at home; and Inez A., who is attending school. 

	Mr. Cornwell has always voted with the democratic party since age 
conferred upon him the right of franchise but save for the office of 
register of deeds, which he filled in 1887 and 1888, he has never held 
public position nor sought office as a reward for party fealty. He 
belongs to the Masonic lodge and chapter at Faulkton, the commandery at 
Redfield and to the Mystic Shrine at Sioux Falls. He is a past master 
of the lodge and was at one time a member of the Grand Lodge of the 
state. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and the Woodmen and is always true and loyal to the teachings of these 
organizations, which are based upon a recognition of the obligations of 
man to his fellows. In his business life close application, earnest 
purpose and honorable dealing have won him success, and in every 
relation in which he has been found he has proven himself a man of 
creditable purposes and high principles.