C. E. Allen C.E. Allen, of Levey township, Sac county, Iowa, post office, Odebolt, widely and favorably known in this locality, where he has resided since 1873, was born in Clinton county, New York, August 30, 1852. His parents, David and Sarah (Mills) Allen, were natives of New York State and New Hampshire, respectively, and were both descended from early settlers of the United States. They were pioneers of Illinois, whence they removed, in 1873, to Iowa. In the latter State the father bought of the Iowa Railroad Land Company 360 acres, on which the family settled, in all the isolation of an unbroken waste of prairie. Here they lived and toiled with all the untiring energy and determined perseverance of the hardy pioneer, gradually making for themselves a comfortable and pleasant home. Here the father died in 1888, while the mother, who still survives, resides with her children in this county. Mr. Allen, whose name heads this sketch, was quite young when his parents removed to Illinois, where he was reared and educated. In 1873 he accompanied the family to this State, and experienced with them the hardships of pioneer life. He has many anecdotes to relate of those early days, all of which are interesting, and many of them thrilling. The howl of wolves at night frequently aroused them to the protection of themselves and stock, while prairie fires, so destructive in their effects, were a continual source of alarm. Game was plentiful, such as deer, wild geese, duck and prairie chicken, while the streams were full of fish. Mr. Allen was much given to hunting deer, and brought home many prizes from his expeditions. Although he is still a young man, he has a thorough knowledge of frontier life, having been a pioneer in two States. He was married December 24, 1876, to Miss Jennie E. Bartlett, an intelligent lady, daughter of Ichabod and Mary (Frick) Bartlett, natives of New York State and Pennsylvania, respectively. They have seven children: David, Edson, George, Jesse, Olive, Carl, and Ella. Politically, Mr. Allen is a Republican, although not active in public affairs. As a citizen he enjoys the merited esteem of the entire community. Transcribed by B. Horak, November 2002

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