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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  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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S. A. Allen, farmer, Monticello, Ark. Mr. Allen’s parents, Samuel and Mary (Matthews) Allen, were natives of North Carolina, and his grandfather, John Allen, was a native of Ireland, who came to the United States at an early day, and died before the Revolutionary War. The latter had one son, John Allen, Jr., who served all through that war. Samuel Allen was born in 1800, and was a large planter of Tennessee, whither he had moved about 1833. He was the owner of about fifteen slaves, and moved to this county about 1859, where he resided until his death in 1882. His wife died in 1887. Of the twelve children born to their union, five are now living: Andrew Newton (owner of a large steam, grist and planing-mill and cotton-gin of Monticello), William M. (a large farmer of Marion Township, and the owner of a steam cotton gin), John W. (an M. D. of Bradley County), S. A., and Jay (an M. D. of Baxter). S. A. Allen commenced farming for himself in Drew County in 1861, and in June of the following year joined Thompson’s regiment of Confederate Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. He was made second lieutenant, but served as captain of his company on account of the sickness of the captain and first lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Pilot Knob, Jefferson City, Kansas City, and served throughout Price’s raid. He was wounded in a skirmish, and had the misfortune to lose the forefinger of his left hand. He was mustered out of service at Monticello in June, 1865, just three years from the time of enlistment. Returning home he commenced farming on the old homestead, and there he has since remained. He owns 200 acres of land, and has 100 acres under cultivation, raising cotton principally. He was married on September 13, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth J. Matthews, a cousin of his, who was born in North Carolina on September 15, 1841, and who is the daughter of James B. and Elizabeth Jane (Stitt) Matthews, natives of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born two children: Lucius Thomas (whose birth occurred in 1861, who is married, and is now residing at home), and Linnie Neva (who was born in 1875). Mr. Allen is a member of the Wheel, and is one of the leading farmers of the county and State. He and wife belong to the Old School Presbyterian Church, and he is a Democrat in his political views.

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This family biography is one of 83 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Drew County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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