All honor is due to the noble citizen-soldiers of the country who served it so faithfully during the late war, many of them sacrificing the early years of their manhood in helping to preserve the Union in its integrity. Many of them have since been very serviceable in advancing the interests of this county, and among them is Samuel Allen, of this biographical review, who is farming and raising stock on section 20, South Dixon Township, where he has a farm that is complete in its appointments, and is as productive as any in the neighborhood. Mr. Allen was born May 6, 1837, hear Doylestown, Somerset County, Pa. His parents were Louis and Elizabeth (Conner) Allen, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania, the latter of German parentage, her father and mother living and dying in the Keystone State. Louis Allen's parents removed from Virginia to New York. When he was a small child, and his father died in that State. His mother returned to Virginia, and lived out her remaining days in the Old Dominion. When Samuel Allen was eleven years old, his parents removed to Bedford County, in the same State, but after living there some time, they went back to Somerset County, whence they came to Illinois in 1868. They settled in the village of Eldena, in this township, and in 1870 the father died in his new home at the age of seventy-eight, and a year later his wife passed out of life at the same place, she being then past seventy-five years old. They were devoted Christians, and were members of the Baptist Church for many years.

Our subject was in the flush and vigor of early manhood when he first came to this country in 1860 to make it his future home. The Rebellion broke out and found him hard at work to get a good start in life. He watched the course of the war with intense interest, and in August, 1862, threw aside all personal considerations to join the brave boys in blue at the front, his name being enrolled on the 15th of that month as a member of Company A, Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry. His regiment was sent to the field to fight under the gallant Gen. Thomas, and he and his comrades were with him until the terrible war was brought to a close, early winning the confidence of their be­loved leader by their fidelity to duty, courage in the face of danger, and staying qualities in the heat of the longest and hardest battles. They were mustered out in June, 1865, and honorably discharged at Camp Harker, Nashville, Tenn. They had taken an active part in the engagements at Nashville, Franklin and Chattanooga. They went through the Atlanta campaign, and completed their service by driving the rebel, Gen. Hood, from his stronghold. Our subject escaped without a wound, but while he was sick in a Kentucky hospital he was captured b}' John Morgan's troops, during the celebrated raid of that daring leader through that State. Although never pierced by a rebel bullet or bayonet, he had many a hairsbreadth escape from death while fighting in the lines in some hotly-contested battle.

After the close of the war, Mr. Allen returned to this county, and soon was pursuing his vocation as a farmer as busily and with as much interest as if he had never left the plow to shoulder his gun to help fight his country's battles. He has owned his present farm of one hundred and eleven acres on section 20, South Dixon Township, since 1868, having one hundred and forty-one acres in all, and by unremitting and well-directed toil has transformed it into one of the most desirable pieces of property in that township, erecting good farm buildings, placing the soil under a high state of cultivation, and purchasing modern machinery so that lie might conduct its operations to the best advantage. Besides the home place he owns ninety-two acres in another part of this township.

Mr. Allen has taken unto himself a wife since becoming a resident of this county, and to her good offices attributes a part of his success in life, as well he may, she being so well fitted for her position at the head of the household whose affairs she directs wisely and well. She bore the maiden name of Eva Mossholder, and is a daughter of a well-known pioneer family, whose history is given in the biography of William H. Mossholder. Mrs. Allen was young when she came to Illinois with her parents from her birthplace in Somerset County, Pa., and she was reared to womanhood in South Dixon Township. She is a member of the Evangelical Church, and, with her husband, is of high social standing in this township where they have many friends. Mr. Allen is a man of sterling common sense, with sensible opinions upon all topics with which he is familiar, and in politics he holds himself independent of party ties.

Our subject and his wife have been blessed in their marriage by these three children: Cora E., wife of William Baker, of La Salle Township, La Salle County; Louis G., married Miss Jennie Parker, and lives on his father's farm; and Nellie M. is at home with her parents.

Portraits and Biographical Lee County IL 1892