Samuel J. Allmon of Pratt, Kan., the present county clerk of Pratt county, was born Oct. 20, 1851, on a farm in Bollinger county, Missouri. He is a son of Uriah J. and Tempy (Ivey) Ailmon, the former a native of Indiana, born there in 1816, and the latter was born in North Carolina, in 1821. The father followed agricultural pursuits throughout the whole of his active career and passed away in Missouri, in 1888, his wife having preceded him in death several years, her demise having occurred in 1876 in the same state. Their union was blessed with ten children—seven sons and three daughters: George W. is engaged in farming in Clark county, Kansas; James P. is a farmer in Cape Girardeau county, Missouri; Martha died in infancy; William I. is engaged in farming in Pratt county, Kansas; Samuel J. is the next in order of birth; Joseph A. died in 1881; Clara J. is the wife of Frank J. Sandefur, who is in railroad service in California; Hulda C. is deceased; Uriah J. is deceased; and Henry died in infancy.

Samuel J. Allmon received his education in the public schools of Missouri and taught school four years in that state prior to his coming to Kansas, in 1878. That same year he located on a tract of government land in Pratt county and still owns two well improved farms there. The teaching profession engaged his attention two years after his removal to this state, but since that time his main line of industry has been that of farming. He is a Democrat. In 1906 he was elected to the office of county clerk as the Democratic candidate and has been twice reëlected, the last time receiving 464 votes over his opponent on the Republican ticket. All this in a normally Republican county is a worthy testimony of his popularity with the people and a tribute to his worth as a capable official. He has also served as trustee and as assessor of Carmi township, and in each office that he has held his record has been one of careful and progressive administration of the affairs connected with it.

On Dec. 27, 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Allmon and Miss Nancy Z. Sandefur of Marble Hill, Mo., a daughter of Richard J. Sandefur, a farmer of that locality. She died in 1881, leaving three children—one son and two daughters: Elbert O., born Oct. 16, 1878, a merchant at Turon, Kan.; May, born Jan. 8, 1880, is the wife of J. C. Sillin, a successful miller of Pratt, Kan.; and Belle, born Aug. 19, 1881, resides on a farm near Preston, Pratt county. Mrs. Allmon was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which denomination Mr. Allmon also holds his membership. A residence in Pratt county of over thirty years has proved Mr. Allmon to be one of its most progressive and worthy citizens, and by an upright life he has won and deserves the high esteem in which he is held by a wide circle of acquaintances.