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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
CAPT. L. J. ALLEN, Chief Marshal of the city of Oskaloosa, was born in Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., July 31, 1833, and is the son of Jesse and Sarah (Lanning) Allen, natives of New Hampshire, who settled in Steuben County at an early day. About the year 1840 tbey removed to Oakland County, Mich., where they remained until 1848, when they removed to Iowa, and are at present living in Decatur County. They are the parents of four sons and one daughter: Charles, a farmer of Decatur County, Iowa; Oliver P., of Currant Creek, Col., who has been a member of the Legislature of that State; L. J., our subject; Edward, a soldier in the late war in the 3d Iowa Cavalry, who, while serving in Arkansas, received injuries by the falling of his horse that have disabled him for life; Albert J., also a soldier in the late war, was a member of Co. B, 19th Iowa Vol. Jul., and participated in all the engagements of that command. He was taken prisoner at Morganzie Bay, on the Mississippi and sent to Para, Tex. The rebels robbed their prisoners of their shoes, and their line of march could be followed by a trail of blood. He is a resident of Decatur County, Iowa, where he has been twice elected to the office of Sheriff. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are at present residing in Leon, Decatur Co., Iowa. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools. He was married at Fairfield, Iowa, in 1856, to Miss Martha Noble. Two children are the result of this union, Curtis and Everett P., who are now in Chicago, and engaged in the business of steel-fitting. Capt. Allen enlisted in 1862 in Co. B, 19th Iowa Vol. Inf., and participated with his command in the engagement at Prairie Grove, Ark., and in the general skirmishing over that State. Returning to St. Louis the regiment was ordered to Vicksburg, where they formed a part of the investing army, and were the second regiment to march into the city after its surrender On the 4th of July, 1863. After the surrender of Vicksburg the regiment was ordered to New Orleans, and formed a part of the expedition to Matamoras, remaining there until nearly the close of the war. Our subject was in the battles of Fts. Fisher and Blakeley, and participated in all the charges of the line. He was promoted from the ranks to Second and First Lieutenant, and afterward to Captain, and was mustered out at Keokuk, Iowa, at the expiration of his term of service. After the war Capt. Allen went to Fairfield, Iowa, but soon after removed to Ottumwa, where Mrs. Allen died in 1879. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a sincere Christian, and active member of the church, and highly respected by all who knew her. The Captain was again married, in the spring of 1883, to Miss Alida Richardson, a daughter of Judge Richardson, of Albia, Iowa. The Captain came to this city in June, 1883, and in 1886 was appointed to his present position, Chief Marshal of the city. He had previously served the city of Ottumwa as its Chief Marshal for a period of three years, and was also upon the police force of that city for a like term. Capt. Allen is a member of the G. A. R., and was the first Post Commander of Phil. Kearney Post, No. 40, of this city. Upon his retirement from that position he was presented with an elegant gold watch, valued at $100, as a token of esteem from his comrades. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and Knights of Pythias, in which latter order he is District Deputy Grand Chancellor and Colonel of the Second Regiment of the uniformed rank of that order, of which he holds a commission for four years. He has filled all the chairs in the I. O. O. F. and has represented that order in the Grand Lodge of the State. The Captain is a genial gentleman and is uniformly polite to all with whom he comes in contact, yet is a fearless and efficient officer and discharges the duties of his position without fear, favor or affection. A lithographic portrait of Capt. Allen accompanies this sketch.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy