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Below is a family biography included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM ALLEN, a retired merchant and farmer of Enterprise, Ind., is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born November 11, 1829, being the eldest son in a family of five children born to William and Lettie (Trumper) Allen, natives of Ohio and New York respectively. They were married in the former State January 2, 1825, and resided at New Richmond and Cincinnati, Ohio, until they came to Spencer County. The former erected the first saw and grist-mill built in Luce Township. He was at one time one of the leading architects and builders of Cincinnati. He died about three years after coming to Spencer County, January 25, 1842. His widow married again and died at the age of seventy-one years, August 25, 1876. William Allen, the subject of this sketch, was reared at home. His father died when he was twelve years of age, and four years later he began to serve an apprenticeship to a carpenter, which lasted three years. He then gave the most of his attention for the next eight years to boat building and dealing in wood. He was afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits at Enterprise, and in the livery business at Rockport. In 1866 he returned to Enterprise, where he was again engaged in merchandising until 1883, when he retired from business. He is a Republican in politics, and in 1884 was a candidate for the office of County Commissioner. He was defeated by a small majority in a county overwhelmingly Democratic. August 23, 1854, he was united in marriage with Mary C. Boyd. To this union no children have been born. James H. Allen, a brother of the preceding, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 29, 1885. Left an orphan at an early age, he when fourteen years old, began life as a cook on a flat-boat. He was afterward engaged for some time in milling and logging. He is now following the business of farming, having a good farm of 180 acres. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is well and favorably known throughout the county. November 8, 1862, his marriage with Rhoda Boyd was celebrated. To them five children have been born. They are Jennie, Annie, William C., Claude N., and Mollie M.

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This family biography is one of 344 biographies included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Spencer County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Spencer County, Indiana family biographies here: Spencer County, Indiana Biographies

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