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Surnames: Allen
Classification: Biography
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ui.2ADI/3308
Message Board Post:
20th Century Souvenir Edition of the Ossian News. January 1st, 1900, page 53-54.
J. E. Allen.
J. E. Allen, the only man who has ever made the "Star Restaurant" a success,
came to his present ownership through changes, trials, troubles vicissitudes enough to
have disheartened the living soul of almost any man. No man has ever more worthily won
the respect of a large patronage than he.
Mr. Allen was born May 12, 1861 near Ossian, the son of S. B. and Hanna Allen. He is
descended from the strain that produced that grand old hero of the revolution -- Ethan
Allen. Educated in the common school, he early left his studies to become a bread winner.
The very severe labor on the factory and in the ditch, brought on rheumatism, therefore
turning his attention to the restaurant business in 1893, he purchased the
"Star". After trying that until 1895, he thought to better himself by a change
into the hardware store. This move being unsatisfactory, Mr. Allen, in July, 1893, moved
to Warren and went into the livery business. Selling there, he returned to the restaurant
idea and in October 1896 went to Markle. Here he would have continued had not the ill
health of his wife necessitated her being removed to a more suitable climate. With great
sadness in his heart, fearing the inevitable result, he moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico,
April 1897. Torn by alternating ho!
pes and despair, he lived for two years in the climate to which his wife had been
recommended by the best physicians. During this time he was employed in the shops of the
A. T. & S. F. railroad. All efforts to better Mrs. Allen's condition having
failed, with great sadness the little family returned to Ossian, and Mr. Allen again
purchased the "Star Restaurant" which had passed through several hands since he
left.
Whatever can belong to an up-to-date equipment we find in the Allen restaurant. Having
taken great pains to make his stock attractive to all customers he is winning a large
patronage. As a man, Mr. Allen is a good, patriotic, enterprising citizen and a valued
addition to the business fraternity here.