1902 Illustrated history of Harn

Tom Allen- In the history of Harney county the name of Tom Allen is inseparably connected with the stock industries, while also he has ever manifested a public spirit and great zeal in the upbuilding of the interests of the county, and thus he should be accorded especial mention in this work, since also the people have entrusted him with the important office of sheriff, having been elected in the June election, in 1902, on the Republican ticket. Mr. Allen was born in Benton county, Oregon, on May 9, 1854, being the son of Jacob and Cynthia A. Allen. The father was a native of Indiana, and came across the plains in 1850 with the ox teams of that day, settling in Benton county. The mother was a native of Kentucky, and in 1851 came from Missouri across the plains with ox teams, landing in Benton county. In 1853 they were married, and our subject is their first child. In 1864 the family removed to Walla Walla and two years later returned to Benton county. Our subject was reared on a farm and received his education from the district schools. In 1878 Tom Allen came to Silver creek and at once engaged to ride for stock with Cecil Brothers. Four years were spent with them, and he then accepted the foremanship for Hardin & Riley for four years. Then he went to Crook county and engaged in raising horses for himself, which he retired from a few years later and took the foremanship for Hardin & Riley again for three years. They he was cattle foreman for the Pacific Live Stock Company; then held the same position for William Hanley, and then for the French-Glen Company, where he continued until the first day of July, 1902, when he took the oath of office as sheriff of the county of Harney. Mr. Allen is well known, and it is no experiment to place the responsibilities of this office in his hands. He is at present master of Lodge No. 97, of the A.F. & A.M.
On December 23, 1888, Mr. Allen married Miss Ada, daughter of Isaac and Mariah Thornburg, and they have on child, Fred Bither, born July 26, 1898. Mr. Thornburg died in 1894, but his widow lives with Mr. Allen. In his labors Mr. Allen has been faithful, vigorous and capable; in his walk he has been upright, and always manifests stanch integrity; while as a man, a neighbor and an associate he has the confidence, the approbation and admiration of the people.
It is of note that Mr. Allen's father fought in the Mexican war under General Scott, and participated in the battle of Buena Vista and also did some skirmishing.

William Altnow- The worthy pioneer whose name appears above is one of the intrepid and sturdy men who fought the battles of the country in the Civil war and has done a lion's share in developing the west in various frontier regions, having been also one of the very first settlers in the region where he is now living, seven and one-half miles northeast of Drewsey, Harney county. It is, therefore, very fitting that consideration be granted him in this volume, which devotes space to the leading and prominent citizens of this and adjacent counties.
Mr. Altnow was born in Moxfelde, Germany, on June 16, 1835, and there was reared, attending school for eight years without vacation and finally graduating from the high school. In 1855, he bade the fatherland farewell with friends and home and sought the new world for the fortunes that night smile upon his honest endeavors. He landed in New York after a five weeks' voyage on a sailing vessel. Thence he went to Watertown, Wisconsin, and from there to Sibley county, Minnesota. There in June, 1864, he enlisted in Company H. Second Minnesota Volunteers. He first served in Tennessee, then was under Sherman in Georgia and went on the famous march to the sea. He fought in the battles of Jonesborough and Bentonville, and many skirmishes and had but one sick day in the entire service. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, at the end of the war, having made a fine military record. From Kentucky he returned to his home and there on October 28, 1866, he was married to Miss Matilda Matthia, a native of Germany. In October, 1868, he started with wife and child via New York and panama, to California, getting to San Francisco in twenty-two days. He went thence to Salem, Oregon, coming to that town on December 11, 1868, whence in the following year he removed to Antelope, in Wasco county. But few people were then settled there and our subject remained until Gilliam county was cut off, thus living in two counties without moving, and had remained until Wheeler was cut off it would have been three. He was occupied in raising stock and he has always made a success of his business. It was in 1881 that he located his present place. He moved to the family first to Canyon City and thence in 1884 to the present home. He has a fine estate of four hundred acres, all fenced and well improved with orchards and buildings, having two very large barns and one of the finest residences in the entire country, it being an eleven room house of modern architectural design and provided with all conveniences. In 1890 the people called Mr. Altnow to act as the first county commissioner of Harney after it was a separate political division. He discharged the responsible duties that devolved upon him in that incumbency with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. Altnow has steadily and wisely labored for the upbuilding of the entire country and has done much for Harney county. He came here when the nearest neighbors were forty-five miles distant and he has endured much hardship and deprivation to help build up the country and has always shown the true spirit of the pioneer. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Altnow: Emma, deceased; Willie J., Mrs Lillie Glen, of Vale; Albert and Mrs. Ina Brittingham.