Biography - Sheldon W. Allen
SHELDON W. ALLEN, son of Chester and Eunice (Baldwin) Allen, and was born in
Oneida county, N.Y., Sept. 28, 1808. There he received a common school
education. He worked at the tailoring trade until nineteen years old, when
illness prevented him from continuing at it longer. He then hired out by the
month, and subsequently went into the butcher business, which he followed for 25
years; was first butcher in Galesburg. Mr. A. came to Knox county in 1837, lived
three years in Henderson township, then moved to Galesburg, where he now
resides. His parents spent the last days of their life at his home. In 1834 he
was married to Fidelia Leach; by her he had eight children, all of whom are
living, and all married. She died Nov. 22, 1855, and he married again January,
1858, this time to Nancy Shaver [the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index lists a
Sheldon W. Allen marrying a Nancy A. Sharon in Knox County on January 19, 1858];
seven children blessed this union, three of whom are now dead. Mr. A. has reared
a large and much respected family. The following are the names of the children,
with occupation: James S., butcher; S. O., farmer; Alden H., butcher; Henry A.,
J. P.; Norman T., M. E. preacher, Roseville, Ill.; Chester, a butcher; Mary F.,
wife of Job Wykoff, Canton, Ill.; John S., physician, Keithsburg, Ill.; Frank
S., car builder, Chicago; Lida K., living at home; Fred R., in hotel, Peoria;
and the youngest Ida D., a little girl. Mr. A. is a zealous and practical
temperance worker. His gifts for this noble work show him to have his heart
truly in the cause. He is connected with the 1st Church, Galesburg. Republican
in politics.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois, published by Charles C. Chapman, page 648.
