ALLEE, Francis M. - Putnam

The history of a state is but a record of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and their sturdy descendants occupy places of no secondary importance. The story of the plain common people who constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should ever attract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the life story of the subject of this sketch there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of lite true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.

Francis M. Allee is descended from one of Putnam county's honored early pioneers. This pioneer, John Allee, was born in Montgomery county, Virginia. September 2, 1803. When one year old he was taken by his parents to Barren county, Kentucky, where, in his early manhood, he was doubly bereaved of both parents, at which time he was penniless and practically thrown upon his own resources. However, he was endowed with a liberal quantity of grit and determination, qualities which characterized his subsequent years, and he determined to make a success of life. He was reared on a farm and secured a fair education in the common schools of the Blue Grass state. On reaching a proper age he secured employment as overseer of a plantation, on which many slaves were employed, and on which was a large distillery, tobacco being one of the principal field crops. He gained the confidence of his employer, who would at times be gone from the plantation for a year. The young man was a good mathematician and penman and for his services he received a liberal salary. He was economical and with the money he saved he bought land, when, in 1830, he came to Putnam county, Indiana, his purchase being in section 16, Jefferson township. He made this his permanent home and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1875.

John Allee married Lucretia Pruitt, a native of Kentucky, and among their children was Francis AI. Allee, the immediate subject of this sketch. John Allee became a prominent and successful farmer. He came to this county in rather limited financial condition, but he was industrious and resourceful and as he prospered he added to his land holdings until at one time he owned one thousand acres of good land, which was accumulated literally "by the sweat of his brow." He worked on the construction of the old National road through this county, receiving for his labor the magnificent wage of fifty cents a day. Conditions in those days were unfavorable in many respects. In order to dispose of the grain raised on his farm, he found it necessary to haul the grain to Lawrenceburg, on the Ohio river, and to Cincinnati, ten (lays being required to make the round trip. He usually made the trip pay both ways. by bringing back goods for local merchants. He took a deep interest in public affairs and served as trustee of his township several terms. He was a stanch Republican and a firm supporter of the Union and during the Civil war he was uncompromising in his devotion to the national cause. He was a member of the state militia and. as colonel, was at the head of the organization in Putnam county. He was widely known in this section of the state and enjoyed the unbounded confidence of all who knew him.

Francis M. Allee was born in Jefferson township. Putnam county, Indiana, in 1839. November 5th having been his natal day. He was reared on the home farm and received his elementary education in the common schools, supplementing this by attendance at old Asbury (now DePauw) University, at Greencastle. Primitive conditions existed in that early day and Mr. Allee relates with interest many of the incidents of his boyhood. As to the customs and conditions, coal oil lamps were then unknown in this community, the common light being provided by "grease lamps." which consisted of open receptacles of grease, in the neck of which lay a piece of cloth, the lower end of which lay in the grease. This light was even more common than candles. Fire was often preserved by a rotten hickory tree that burned all summer near the house. Cooking was done in front of the wide fireplace which was a feature of practically every home. Corn meal was obtained by grating corn on a tin grater, and before that improvement was introduced it was ground on a rock. The pioneer larder was supplied with wild fruit, nuts, squirrels and other wild game — in fact, squirrels were so plentiful that only the hind quarters were used and they were a nuisance to the pioneers because of their fondness for the newly planted corn, which they would dig up as fast as it could be sowed. Farm work was laborious because of the lack of time and labor-saving facilities, wheat was mowed with a cradle and shocked by the women and children. Cooking stoves were unknown in this section until the advent of one bought by the subject's father. Table sugar was very crude in quality and dark brown in color, and home-made molasses was the ordinary medium for sweetening.

In his young manhood Mr. Allee engaged in teaching school for three or four winters, but finding this occupation detrimental to his health, he went back to the farm, to which he devoted his future energies. He was successful in the latter pursuit and became the owner of over a thousand acres of land. most of which he has divided with his children. his present holdings amounting to three hundred and forty acres, all of which is highly cultivated and well improved. He has carried on general farming operations, with which he has combined the raising of livestock, fattening many hogs and cattle for the market. Though now- able to retire from active labor of any nature. Mr. Allee retains an active interest in agriculture, the spirit of idleness being a stranger to his make-up.

On November 17, 1860. Mr. Allee was united in marriage with Sarah E. Sandy, who was born in Owen county, Indiana, the daughter of  William B. Sandy, and to this union have been born eight children, namely: Lucretia E., William U.. Juliette F.. Sarah Jeannette, Lizzie R., Amanda M., Herbert S. and Daisy M. Of these, Lucretia, William, Lizzie and Amanda are deceased. Juliette married first William Trent, and after his death she married Alfred Elmore. They live at Mt. Meridian and they have three children living, Mabel. Herbert and Reba. Sarah Jeannette married L. W. Seller and they live east of the subject in Jefferson township. Their son Hubert is now attending the high school at Greencastle. Herbert, who lives south of his father in Jefferson township, married Effie Dorsett and they have one son. Noble. Daisy M. became the wife of Vennard McCammack and lives on the farm in Jefferson township where her father first settled. She has one daughter, Sarah Viola.

Politically Mr. Allee is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln the day after he attained his majority, and he has voted for every Republican candidate for President since. However, he is not blindly partisan in local public affairs and has had many friends in both parties. He was at one time elected trustee of his township without opposition, his candidacy having been endorsed also by the Democrats. Two years later he was re-elected over a strong opponent, running far ahead of his own ticket. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, having joined in 1859 and now being a member of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 322. Though not a member of any church, he gives a cordial support to all churches, which he assists in a financial way and to which he gives his moral support. He donated the land on which the New Providence Baptist church now stands and also donated a tract of high land for cemetery purposes, besides reserving additional land for a similar purpose when needed. Mr. Allee is a well preserved man for his age, and possesses a disposition that enables him to see and enjoy the bright side of life. He has experienced the hard knocks and vicissitudes of life, and therefore sympathizes with others who are trying to work their way up in life. He is genial and hospitable and his friends are in number as his acquaintances.