MRS. ELIZA C. ALLEN. George W. Allen (deceased agriculturist) was born June 2, 1818, in Fayette county, Penn., on a farm two and one-half miles from Connellsville. He was a son of Josiah and Rebecca Allen, who were natives of Fayette county, Penn., and came to Washington county in 1834, settling permanently in Carroll township. On February 26, 1840, George W. Allen was united in marriage with Eliza C., daughter of Samuel, and granddaughter of Walter Davis. The grandfather died in Franklin county, Penn., and his son Samuel was born March 7, 1786, on the home place in that county. When a young man, Samuel Davis came to Washington county, and locating on Chartiers creek, became prominently connected with the earliest history of Somerset township. He was married to Mary, daughter of Isaac Vance, and she bore him four children, none of whom are living. The mother died June 1, 1820, and for his second wife, Mr. Davis selected Mary, daughter of Isaac and Catherine Teeple. Two children were born to this marriage, namely: Samuel M., living in California, Penn., and Eliza C. (Mrs. Allen), whose name opens this sketch. The mother died April 23, 1824, and his third choice was Rhoda Falconer. They had six children. Of these, one daughter is living, viz., Emily Maria Taylor, living at Brownsville, Penn. Mr. Davis was a member of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, and in political opinion was a Democrat. He passed away October 16, 1836, and was laid to rest beside his kindred in the Pigeon Creek cemetery. To the union of George W. and Eliza C. (Davis) Allen, the following children were born: Mary Lucinda (wife of Lyman Jackson, a prominent railroad official in Allegheny city), born September 1, 1841; Emma R., born October 25, 1843; Martha T., born December 4, 1845; Elma L. (deceased March 6, 1854, interred in Round Hill cemetery, Allegheny county), born April 24, 1848; Edwin Benton (deceased August 20, 1890, interred in Knoxville cemetery, a prominent business man of Knoxville, Iowa), born October 5, 1850; Edith F. (deceased June 9, 1853, interred in Round Hill cemetery, Allegheny county), born January 24, 1853; Clarence M. (a merchant living at Charleroi, Penn.), born May 6, 1854; Milton J., born October 21, 1856, died October 25, 1888; Ella S. (wife of Samuel Swabe, a prosperous farmer of Fallowfield township), born February 16, 1859; Myrtilla F., born July 24, 1861; George B. Mc. (a carpenter of Charleroi), born October 8, 1863, and Addison F. (living on the homestead), born May 24, 1867. At the time of his marriage Mr. Allen possessed little property, but by the assistance of his wife, coupled with his own untiring energy, he accumulated a competence, and finally became the owner of 275 acres of land. In his political opinion he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church at Monongabela City. He was interested in all movements tending to advance Washington county, and was especially devoted to educational progress. He died February 19, 1879, was interred in Monongabela cemetery. His widow, an agreeable and popular lady, is yet living on the place. She has in her possession a diary of her husband, containing the incidents of his life, from the date of his marriage until his death.

Text taken from page 677 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Kathy Petty of Evansville, IN as part of the Beers Project. Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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