From "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Carroll County"
Munsell Publishing Co. - 1913
Edited by Charles L. Hostetter

ALLEN, WALTER W., one of the well known and highly respected pioneers of Carroll county, was born in Erie county, Pa., July 12, 1840, a son of David B. and Susan K.(Scoville) Allen natives of New York State, he born October 29, 1809 and she, October 16, 1814. When a lad, the father went with his parents to Girard, Pa., where a farm was bought although his father John Allen, had been earlier in life a wheelwright, in this locality occurred the marriage of David R. Allen and his wife, on July 37 1836, and in 1845, removal was made to Michigan. Later they came to Carroll county, Ill., at a time when there were but three houses on the road between Sterling and Milledgeville. There was no house for them so their lived in a little shoe shop near the Elkhorn until a log cabin could be built. It was put up in Whiteside county, and amid surroundings so wild that often at night the wolves would come and putting their paws on the window sill, frighten them fearfully. Later, the father sold this claim and moved to the vicinity of Morrison, Ill., where he opened a cheese factory, selling his product at six cents per pound. He then bought forty acres, and developed a farm, living in Whiteside county until his death, which occurred about 1887, when he was seventy-six years old. His wife died in 1881. They had three daughters and one son: Helen A., who married Harrison Roland, died, leaving five children; Josephine, who married James Tavlor, a farmer of South Elkhorn, died; Anna, who married John Knox, of Iowa, died; and Walter W.

Walter W. Allen received a district school education and worked on his fathers farm until he enlisted in 1864, in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry for service during the Civil War, joining the regiment at St. Charles, Ill. He Was then taken with the measles, complications set in, and he was sent to Chicago, and thence to Washington, D.C. to join his regiment for patrol duty at the capitol, and was there when President Lincoln was assassinated. He vividly remembers the heartrendering occurrences of that dread period. Mr. Allen was the man who called for General Payne at Warrington, Va., When that confederate leader was captured. He also participated in the battles of Point of Rocks, Middletown, Frederick City and numerous skirmishes.

Mr. Allen's marriage occurred September 1, 1869, to Anna Mary McCann who was born June 13, 1851, in Indianna; a daughter of Charles and Malinda (Fritch) McCann. Mrs. McCann was a native of Germany, who came with her parents to Pennsylvania, and is now living in Milledgeville, aged eighty years, Charles McCann was a marble cutter by trade, having learned it early in life. Mr.and Mrs. Allen have had children as follows: Della, who was born August 2, 1870, married John Spang of Iowa issue-Lloyd, Maude and Raligh; Raligh, who was born November 7, 1871, married Edith Petty, issue-Mabel, Maude, Ethel, Mason and Denver; Clara, who was born December 16, 1875, married John Hahn issue-Parilla; Lewis J., who was born January 26 1879, married Millie Smith, February 14, 1912; Gertrude M, who was born December 3, 1880, died November 30, 1911; Edith who was born June 26, 1886 married George Imel, a farmer, -issue-Wayne and LaRue; Eva, who was born Apri1 15, 1889, Married Kim Todd; Orville, who was born December 18, 1890, is at home; and Laura, who was born July 18, 1893, is at home.
For many years Mr. Allen was a butcher, and did some farming, but in 1896, he bought city property, and now has a beautiful home. He belongs to the G.A.R. Post, and in politics, he has always been a Republican. During the years he has been a resident of this county, he has witnessed many changes. When he came here the most primitive conditions prevailed, but gradually they were replaced by others more distiactive of advancing civilization, Until he is now proud to claim that there few districts better improved than the one in which he now lives. Mr. Allen has Contributed his own part towards this growth, although he has never desired public office but sought to show his loyalty as a private citizen. His war record shows that he was a brave soldier, and never sought to shirk his duty.