Allen - South Dakota Genealogy

Biography of Charles H. Allen

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Charles H. Allen was born on March 17, 1857, in Osage, Iowa, to Joseph and Abigail Allen. He was the fifteenth of sixteen children, and his father served as a Civil War surgeon. Charles left home at age 13, traveling and learning stone cutting before returning to Iowa in 1881. He moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1882, establishing a successful draying business and later transitioning to wood and coal distribution. In 1882, he married Ida M. Owen, with whom he had two children: C. Lewis and M. Estelle. Allen was also active in local politics and several fraternal organizations.

Biography of Charle F. Allen

Charles F. Allen was born on March 4, 1869, in Chatfield, Minnesota. After beginning his career as an apprentice at the Chatfield Democrat, he moved to Rochester in 1886 to work at the Record and Union. In 1890, Allen purchased the Brookings County Press in Brookings, South Dakota, where he continued to publish. He married Julia Garvey in 1888, and they had three daughters: Norma, Doris, and Mildred. Allen served as postmaster of Brookings and held various civic roles, contributing significantly to the community’s growth.

Biography of Edwin S. Johnson

Edwin S. Johnson (b. 1857, Owen County, Indiana) was a prominent banker and real estate operator in Armour, South Dakota. He co-founded the Johnson Brothers Company with his brother Homer, managing extensive land and loan interests across the region. Johnson began his career in Iowa, later pioneering in Nebraska before relocating to South Dakota in 1884. In addition to his business pursuits, he served as state’s attorney and state senator, shifting from the Republican to Democratic Party in 1896. He married Anna Thoreau in 1884 and remained an influential figure in both local politics and the Methodist Protestant church.

Biography of George H. Pinckney

George H. Pinckney, an esteemed auditor of Grant County, South Dakota, has been a resident since 1887, achieving success through his dedicated efforts. Born in New York in 1867, he was raised in Minnesota and educated in its public schools. After a brief period of teaching, Pinckney moved to South Dakota and engaged in farming before acquiring his own property in Grant County. A committed Republican, he garnered support for his election as County Auditor. Pinckney remains an influential figure, maintaining his farm and actively participating in organizations such as the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife, Helen Allen, have four children: Hazel, Nada, Gladys, and Francis.

History of Waverly Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

Waverly township, with the exception of the northwestern part, lies on a gradual elevation which finally terminates in the hills. Two-thirds of this township is fine tillable land, the remainder good grazing land, being well supplied with, water. In the eastern part of the township there are two deep gulches or coulees about one mile apart and both running west. They must have contained very heavy timber years ago, judging from stumps still remaining, several feet in diameter. Wood contractors gobbled it, hauling it to the fort. What remained was taken by the settlers from all parts of the county. … Read more

History of Newark Township

Newark Township lies west of White township, and for school purposes was included in the same until last spring, when it was set off. The surface is slightly rolling and the soil fertile and productive. It was not until April 10th, 1883, that the settlement of the township began. On that day, Homer Johnson and his sons, Fred and Stark, located on section 14 and put up the first claim shanty in the township. Mr. Johnson was born in Ovid, Seneca County, New York, and came here from Plymouth, Michigan. On April 15th, 1883, P. C. Howell, C. and J. … Read more