ALLEN-Samuel Alexander - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Samuel A. Allen, an influential farmer of Union Townsihp, Poweshiek County is one of the oldest living settlers and pioneers of this region. He has resided over 40 years in this state and since 1864 has been a resident of Union Township. He purchased at that time 106 acres of good land in Sec 20 where he has since made his home. He has greatly improved and developed the land, and upon it has substantial and commodious buildings and he now owns 586 acres. Samuel Allen was the sixth in order of birth in a family of thirteen children born to Isam and Martha (Montgomery) Allen, the former born in NC in May 1793 and latter in Virginia in Jan 1798. Our subject's birth occurred in Morgan County, Kentucky, in 1827 and when a child his parents removed to Parke County, Ind where he grew to manhood. In the War of 1812 his father enlisted in the American cause serving for six months. His father in turn, whose name was Isaac was an agriculturist as the family had been for many generations past. His ancestors emigrated from England and he as well as our subject's maternal grandfather, John Montgomery served in the Revolutionary War. The family of 13 of whom our subject is one, all grew to mature years and two of his brothers, Isam and William enlisted int he 40th Iowa Infantry in 1862 and one of them served until the close of the war. In Indiana Nov 18, 1847, a wedding ceremony united the fortunes of Samuel A. Allen and Sarah J, a daughter of Zachariah and Mary (Taylor) Barnes who had removed to Indiana at an early day from Kentucky. On beginning their married life, Mr. and Mrs. Allen had but limited means, the wife having as her dowry the proverbial cow and our subject having but little more capital than a horse. Today, as they with just pride view their broad acres and well-cultivated fields, which stretch in all directions from their hospitable home, they feel that "truly goodness and mercy have attended their pathway," and have blessed with abundant success the years of industry and toil which have brought to them the competency which is now theirs. In 1852 they located in Mahaska County, Iowa where they made their hom 12 years and since that time have resided in Union Twp. They are active members of the old Christian Church at Forest Home. Politically Mr. Allen is a stanch Democrat having been an active worker in his party's intersets since becoming a voter. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and personally is entitled to the goodwill and confidence of his friends and neighbors on account of the upright career and honorable life he has led among them. Of the 7 children who graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, four are still living. William L is a resident of this township; Mary A, the wife of Thomas Farmer, died leaving two children, Martha died in her girlhood; Isam T is next in order of birth; Joseph R. is deceased; Bailey A. is married and makes his home with his father; and Irvin C. is a resident of the county.

Allen, Samuel A. - Farmer and stock raiser, Sec 20, PO Forest Home. Mr. Allen was born March 8, 1827 in Morgan County, Kentucky. When eight year of age, he removed with his parents to Parke County, Indiana where he lived till 1852. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Allen came to Iowa and settle in Mahaska County where he resided for 12 years. He removed to his present farm in February 1864 where he has won the confidence and respect of a wide circle of friends and neighbors. He married Miss Sarah J. Barnes Nov 18, 1847 and their household has been blessed with 7 children: William L (born Nov 23, 1848); Mary A (born August 29, 1850); Martha J (born Oct 2, 1854); Isam T (born Sept 29, 1856); Joseph R (born August 29, 1860); Bailey A (born February 8, 1863); Irvin C (born Oct 16, 1867). Joseph R. died Feb 14, 1875 and Martha J on July 1, 1876. Mr. Allen had a farm of about 340 acres here, besides 160 acres in Kansas. This year, in connection with other large resources of his farm, he has raised 100 hogs and about 40 head of cattle. Since his reidence here he has well sustained a prominent position among the worthy citizens of the county.