- LOANDER ALLEN, a retired farmer, and one of the representative
citizens of Milton Junction,
- Wis., was born in Allegany County, N.Y., in the year 1825,
and was the second in a family of six children, whose parents
were Abram and Dorcas (BURDICK) ALLEN. Of the children, four
sons and two daughters, four are yet living. Jonathan, the eldest,
lives in Alfred Center, N.Y., and is President of the university
at that place; Loander, of this sketch, is the next of the family;
Orlenzo and Ormanzo were twins, and the latter is now a resident
of Minnesota, but the former, who was a doctor by profession,
is deceased; Emily and Emeline were also twins, the former being
now deceased, the latter residing in Minnesota.
- Our subject spent the days of his boyhood in his native State,
his time being passed in much the
- same manner as that of other farmer lads, he attending the
common schools during the winter months, and assisting in the
labors of the farm during the summer months. When seventeen years
of age, his parents left the East and came to Rock County, arriving
in the month of July, 1842. Mr. ALLEN at once entered a claim
of 160 acres on section 28 and 29 in the town of Lima, and to
his original purchase afterwards added a tract of forty acres.
He placed the whole amount under a high state of cultivation,
made many improvements, built barns and out-buildings for the
care of his stock, and otherwise increased the value of his property,
until it became one of the finest farms in the community. About
1852 Abram ALLEN sold his farm in Lima, and bought a farm of
160 acres, lying between the villages of Milton and Milton Junction,
and known as the NORTON farm, but subsequently sold his land
and removed to Freeborn County, Minn., where he engaged in milling
for some years, and in 1865 he sold out his mill business and
returned to Milton, and lived a retired life until his death,
which occurred, about 1875.
- Our subject completed his education in Milton Academy, and
then turned his attention to farming,
- which he has made his life work. He purchased his farm of
a Mr. BALDWIN, it comprising 118 acres of fine, arable land in
the town of Lima, and to its cultivation and improvement devoted
the greater part of his time and attention, until, wishing to
retire to private life, he removed to Milton Junction, in 1880.
- In 1847 Mr. ALLEN was united in marriage with Miss Almira
BABCOCK, and unto them were
- born three children - Madelia, the eldest, became the wife
of Elias AYERS, a resident of St. Andrew's Bay, Fla.; Asher D.,
who married Miss Viola BROWN, has the management of his father's
farm in Lima; Dora L., wife of William BIRMINGHAM, makes her
home in Gratiot County, Mich. In 1865 Mr. ALLEN was called upon
to mourn the death of his wife. He was again married, his second
union being with Amanda HUFFMAN, of Milton. Mr. ALLEN has served
various official positions, having filled the office of Supervisor
of the town of Lima for several terms, was a member of the School
Board, was elected and served as District Treasurer and also
as Town Clerk. He was elected Road Commissioner in 1888, has
been Overseer of Highways for several years, and is now President
of the Board of Health Commissioners. The promptness and fidelity
with which he has discharged the various duties incumbent upon
him, has made him an efficient and faithful officer, and he is
recognized as one of the prominent and enterprising citizens
of Milton Junction. For about twenty-three years he has acted
as deacon of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, in which he holds
membership, and is an untiring worker in his Master's vineyard.
In politics he is a Republican. He is numbered among the honored
pioneers of the county, has witnessed its development from a
wild and almost unsettled prairie until it is on a par with any
county in this vast commonwealth, and has ever been prominent
in the promotion of its best interests. Upright and honorable,
his course through life has always been such and he has gained
the respect and good will of those with whom business or pleasure
have brought him in contact, and few men are more widely and
favorably known.
-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 756-757.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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