Biography: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Frank ALLEN ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, December 2007 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Transcribed from Lawson, Publius V. History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: its cities, towns, resources people. Chicago: C.F. Cooper and Company, 1908. v.2 p.848-849 Frank Allen, of Rushford township, is a native of this place, having been born on March 1, 1855, and reared on the old homestead which he owns and where he still lives. His parents, William and Margaret (Williams) Allen came here from New York state in 1848 and settled on the farm which has since been the family home. They were among the earliest settlers in this part of the country, coming at a time when it was a vast wilderness with the forests filled with wild game of all kinds, and hosts of Indians who were but little less wild than the deer and bear, which were numerous. Their work was of the hardest that could be imagined, for the clearing of land in those days without the improved machinery which is in use at present, make it a task that few people would care to undertake. But by preseverence (sic) they succeeded and erected homes, where they lived to see their children and grandchildren living in comfortable and modern homes and supplied with all the blessings to be had in a fertile and well cultivated country as this. They had a family of eight children, of which four are now living. Father Allen died in 1895, aged 70 years, and the mother is still living (1908) at the age of 76 years and makes her home with her daughter in Aurora township, Waushara county, Wisconsin. Our subject has a beautiful home of one hundred acres of land, well improved with all conveniences both in the house and outside; the place is well stocked with everything that the up-to-date farmer can wish for to carry on his business successfully. He keeps a herd of cows and sells the cream, retaining the milk for the young and growing stock. Mr. Allen is a man who stands well in the community in which he lives and is known as a man among men. He is independent in politics, a position which is becoming quite popular. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of American, Camp. No. 4867 On June 12, 1880, Mr. Allen was married to Miss Alice Williams, daughter of John and Emma (Douglas) Williams. Both families were among the earliest arrivals in this county, and were considered people of sterling character. Our subject and his estimable wife have a family of seven children, viz: Charles, is a farmer in South Dakota; Emma, Earl, Alvin, Donald, Nettie and Frank, all living at home. William Allen (father of our subject) served three years and eight months in the war—from 1861 to the close of the war, Third Wisconsin Battery, Volunteers.