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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARTICLE ON JOHN ALLEN

John Allen ... as an old and venerable citizen of Coldwater Township, it gives us great pleasure to present to you ....

Our subject was born in the town of Sudbury, Rutland Co., Vt., April 29, 1801.  His father, Reuben Allen, was a native of Connecticut, born in the town of Union, in Tolland County, and was the son of William Allen, who moved to that state shortly after the Revolutionary War and became an early settler of Orwell, in Rutland County.  He made his home there with his son William and died there of advanced age.  He was a shoemaker and served in the Revolutionary War.

His son, Reuben, father of our subject, was born in 1763, in the month of October, and at the age of 16 enlisted in the Continental Army.......  After the Revolution he moved from his native state to Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vermont and married Rebecca Rhodes, a native of Rhode Island.  They lived in Sudbury .... then Salisbury ... then to New York and spent his last years with his son, our subject, dying in 1836.  His wife died in the home of her daughter several years later.  Six children were born to them:  Clara, Sarah, Reuben, John, Elisha, Saloma

The subject of our sketch ..... resided with his parents until age 22 ... and then established himself as a farmer in Salisbury .... thence to Pittsford ... thence to Orleans County, N.Y. in 1832 .... thence Murray until 1843 when he moved to Michigan.

Mr. Allen has been three times married.  First wife ... Miranda Kelsey ... leaving one child, John Edward ..... Second wife was Esther Blackmer ... had eight children of which 5 are still alive, namely Maria, Alonzo, Franklin, Elizabeth & Martha .... Third marriage to Britana (Jackson) Phettiplace, a native of Oswego Co., N.Y.