Joseph Allen

JOSEPH ALLEN. Of the few old veterans of the Civil War who are still living in Cherokee County, perhaps no one bears more severe scars of battle than Joseph Allen, a farmer who lives on his farm in section 11, township 32, range 22, in Sheridan township. A soldier who fought in many battles and wounded, fought again, his history as a soldier of the war is only an example of his history in every-day life, for in the ups and downs of life he has always stood like a soldier with his face to the front, winning his way along the line.

Mr. Allen was born in Georgia, September 16, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Katie (Mountain) Allen.

Joseph Allen, the father, was also a native of Georgia; his wife, Katie Mountain, was his playmate from childhood and a native of the same State. By occupation Mr. Allen was a farmer In 1837 he removed to Franklin County, Illinois, where he purchased a farm. There he lived the remainder of his life. The mother also died in Illinois. Out of a family of 10 children, only five are living, and are named as follows: Guy; McKilvie; Godwin; Wilson; and Joseph.

Our subject had only a limited chance for obtaining an education. He lived at home until the age of 21, and had few of the opportunities offered the young man of today. As a good worker, he was in demand, and worked for different people in Perry, Washington, Randolph and St. Clair counties, Illinois. In 186I he was married to Mrs. Margaret (Logan) Allen, of Allen County, Kentucky. Mrs. Allen was the widow of Lewis Allen, a brother of our subject. The family consists of eight children, four by Mrs. Allen's first union and four by the second. The record is as follows: Riley, a farmer in the Cherokee Nation; Leonard, a teamster of Stippville, Cherokee County; Matilda, wife of Charles Shinn, of the Paw Paw Nation; Lucinda, wife of William Kennedy, of Sheridan township; Lewis and John Alexander, farmers of Sheridan township; Delila (Mrs. Isaac Lour), deceased in 1900; and Agnes, wife of A. Wilson, a farmer of Sheridan township.

After his marriage, Mr. Allen lived in Washington County, Illinois, until he entered the army in February, 1864. He enlisted in Company D, 48th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf. A member of the 15th Corps, he was with Sherman in the famous "March through Georgia." He was at Louisville, Nashville, and Scottsboro, and participated in the battles of Atlanta, Macon, Buzzard's Roost, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Savannah and many others, numbering 16 in all. On December 13, 1864, he was wounded at Fort McAllister, by being struck by a piece of shell which carried away part of his left arm. For seven days he was in the field hospital; afterward at Hilton Head, South Carolina, 18 days; and at David's Island, New York, 28 days. Then he was given a 30-day furlough home.

Upon his discharge, April 11, 1865, after he had been in active service for two years, Mr. Allen returned to Washington County, Illinois. In 1867 he sold his farm in that State and moved to Cherokee County, Kansas. The country was very wild and unsettled as yet, being without roads or railroads. His first location in Sheridan township was on 160 acres of land in Section 16, township 32, range 22. There he remained for eight years when he sold out and went to Erath County, Texas, where he stayed but a short time, when he returned to Kansas and located on 160 acres in Sheridan township. In three years he sold again and purchased the land where he has lived ever since. The farm consists of 80 acres, on which is done general farming, all the small grains being raised. he also raises cattle, hogs and horses. All the improvements on the place have been made by the owner and the farm is under good cultivation.

Although when a youth, our subject was a blacksmith, he readily took up the work of the farm and has made it profitable. Part of the time has been spent in the city, but at present he is at home on the farm. In politics he is an ardent Republican believing the principles of that party are such as to safeguard the country's welfare.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3/11/97.