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Surnames: Allen, Beck & Rinehart
Classification: Biography
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gh.2ADI/5245
Message Board Post:
"History of Huntington County, Indiana"1914 By Frank S. Bash pg. 582-83
Joseph E. Allen. The rich agricultural resources of Huntington county have afforded to
Joseph E. Allen the opportunities for securing success, and here, through earnest and
consistent effort he has won a place among his locality’s substantial men. His present
farm, a tract of eighty acres, lying one mile south and three miles west of Warren, is one
of the well-developed properties of Jefferson township, and in its management Mr. Allen
has displayed the possession of business ability of more than an ordinary nature. As a
citizen he has discharged his duties and responsibilities faithfully, and in each avenue
of life’s endeavor he has succeeded in his efforts to be known as a helpful and reliable
member of his community.
Mr. Allen was born in Lancaster township, Huntington county, Indiana, March 22, 1871, and
is a son of Curtis and Susanna (Beck) Allen. His father, a native of Howard county,
Indiana, was there educated in the public schools, and in young manhood came to Lancaster
township, Huntington county, and was married to one of that locality’s native daughters.
They settled down to agricultural pursuits, in which they continued to be engaged
throughout their active careers, and both have now passed away. Mr. Allen was married
twice, and had six children, namely: Mary J., who is the wife of John Miller; Joseph E.,
of this review; and John M., Ella May, Frank and Dow, who are all deceased.
Joseph E. Allen was a small lad when his parents brought him to Jefferson township, and
here he grew to manhood amid rural surroundings. He secured liberal educational advantages
in the district school in the vicinity of his father’s farm, and when not engrossed in his
studies was engaged in assisting his father in the work of the homestead, thus growing to
sturdy manhood with an alert mind and a strong and well-trained body. In October, 1880, he
founded a home of his own when he was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Amanda
Rinehart, of Jefferson township. Of the five children born to this union four are still
living: Russell, a graduate of the common schools, who married Glagie Myers, and is now
engaged in successful farming operations in Jefferson township; Everett, a graduate of the
common schools, who resides at home and assists his father in the work of farming; Miss
Edith, who lives at home with her parents; Cleatus, the baby, who is one and one-half y!
ears old.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Allen settled on the farm which they now occupy, and
which through conservative and well-directed effort has been brought to a high state of
cultivation. In his work Mr. Allen has kept abreast of the progress of the times and is a
recognized leader among the agriculturists and stock raisers of Jefferson township. The
consensus of opinion regarding him is altogether favorable and the high esteem in which he
is uniformly held comes as a tribute to his high business and personal worth. His farm is
well equipped with improvements of the most modern character, as Mr. Allen is a firm
believer in the use of the latest inventions, discoveries and methods and the gratifying
results which he has achieved are testimonials to the effect that his judgment is of the
best. He has a comfortable and well-appointed residence, a commodious and substantial barn
and well-built outbuildings, his well-bred cattle are fat and content, and in all his
property is one!
which creates a favorable impression upon the visitor and yields Mr. Allen a handsome
income.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Otterbein,
Mr. Allen being a member of the board of trustees. In political matters he supports the
principles of democracy, and has been prominent in the affairs of his township, especially
in the line of good roads, being appointed under the law of the county as superintendent
of gravel roads for Huntington county and having jurisdiction over the Beck, Shaw, Green,
Searles, Detamore, Wearley, Cross, Nunamaker, Trout and Hawkins gravel roads. His public
service has been characterized by conscientious devotion to duty, and as a result he is
known as one of the helpful men of his community whose activities are potent factors in
its development.