Mrs. MARY A. WALDO, of Crescent City, was born in Windham County, Vermont, December 24, 1829, the daughter of George W. and Mary (Randall) Allen, natives also of the green Mountain State, and of Scotch and English ancestry. Mr. Allen was a nephew of the noted Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame, and his wife was a first cousin of Hon. Samuel Randall, one of the most eminent statesmen of this nation. Mr. Allen was the eldest of eight children. He grew up and educated himself thoroughly by both book and observation, notwithstanding the literary privations of his youth. On the frontier he was made familiar with Indians and life among dangerous beasts. He was a farmer during his life, dying in March 1866. In his family were the following ten children: Mary A.,whose name heads this sketch; Fannie M. deceased; Edwin G. residing in Hopkinton, Massachusetts; Charles A. living in Marlboro, New Hampshire; Belinda deceased; Thankful H. now the wife of Fred Johnston and residing in Vernon Vermont; Lucy Augusta now Mrs. Calvin Cook and residing also in Vernon; Lydia who married Henry Crandall and lives in Worcester, Massachusetts; and James F. who resides in Erving, Massachusetts.

Mrs. Waldo was but fifteen years of age when she received a certificate and she taught school for one year although her father was well to do and able to support her without her labor; but being ambitious, she learned the art of cutting and fitting dresses. At the age of twenty years she married Asa Berry Waldo, November 8, 1849, who was born in Ackworth, New Hampshire in April 1823. He was a blacksmith for two years, and then came west and joined the Mormons at Nauvoo as they were about to immigrate to Council Bluffs. Here he left them, returned to Vermont, resumed his trade, and soon after his marriage settled in Keene, N.H. Two years afterward in the spring of 1852 he came west again at the time of the emigration of the Mormons across the plains. He visited the principal cities of the West, and at length in 1852 he settled at what was then called Carterville; but sickness soon compelled him, after a year and a half of successful business there, to emigrate again; and after numerous changes he located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and resided there eight years; and hen, in 1871 he came to Crescent City, bought property and opened out in business, which he continued until his death, February 5, 1853. He was a good mechanic, an industrious and energetic man, and had it not been for his roving disposition he would evidently have been wealthy. He lived well, furnishing himself with the best fare. He was independent but active in political matters, aided local institutions, and made a mark in society that will be visible for generations to come.

Mrs. Waldo wrote the first notice of the meeting of the district school directors, and taught the first school in the Crescent City district. Being of high literary culture, she has written articles for Eastern journals; has been active in church work and leader of the choir. She has a neat residence in Crescent City. Her children have been: Flora A. and Orpha E., both deceased; Aden M., born October19, 1854 and residing in Omaha; Orpha E. (2) resides in Mills County, this state: she was born February 17, 1859; Edwin P. and Carrie C. are both deceased.