Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 425-427.

PHILEMON A. ALLEN.

Philemon A. Allen is a native of Whitley county, Indiana, and was born near Coesse on the 29th day of January, 1853, being the eighth in order of birth of nine children of Nathaniel and Eliza (Force) Allen, both of whom revere born in Akron, Ohio, representatives of honored pioneer families of the Buckeye state. They were reared in their native state, and in the year It moved to Whitley county, Indiana, which section at that time was almost entirelv unreclaimed from its primitive wilderness condition. The father at once located on a heavily timbered tract of land, which he began to clear and make ready for cultivation. He erected a saw-mill, which was the first in the county, and was for that reason very much appreciated by the settlers. The family abode was at first a modest log cabin, typical of the place and the period, but the intelligence and progressive character of Nathaniel Allen was such as to secure advancement in temporal affairs, and he contributed his full share of effort toward the development of the county. He and his wife were both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and often in those days, before the erection of church buildings, their home was opened for religious services, conducted by the pioneer circuit riders, and the preacher of that period was sure of a welcome in the home whenever his long journey brought him in their vicinity. Of the nine children born to Nathaniel and Eliza Allen, three died in infancy, while the parents resided in Akron, Ohio. Those who lived to mature years were as follows: William A., Wesley W., H. Wallace, Cynthia J., Philemon A. and Mary E. Cynthia became the wife of Isaac Hull and moved to Kansas, where she died, leaving several children. Mary E. became the wife of John W. Waugh and died in 1893, leaving five daughters and a son. William and Wesley both served in the war of the Rebellion and are still living in Whitley county. Wallace went to Kansas in the '70s and still resides there.

Philemon A. Allen grew to manhood in his native county, and the days of his boyhood and youth were passed as the life of the average boy reared on the farm. He attended the common schools during the short terms they were in session each year and the rest of the time was spent in helping to cultivate the farm. At the age of seventeen years he was qualified to teach and was first licensed by that pioneer educator, I. B. McDonald. He taught two years in what was called the "Log London" school and one year in the Snyder school. He then took a course of study in the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, after which he went to Mason county, Illinois, where he taught for two years. In the spring of 1875 he took some special studies in the Fort Wayne College and a few months later was called to take charge of the normal department in that institution, which he conducted very successfully for two years. In the fall of 1877 he took charge of the schools at Ossian, Indiana, which position he held for four years and brought the school to a high standard of excellence. It was during his administration that the excellent high school at that place was organized, which has each year since then sent out fine classes of graduates. In the summer of 1881 Mr. Allen took an extensive European trip, and among other things, made a study of the school system in the countries he visited. On his return from Europe he took the superintendency of the schools at Bluffton, Indiana, which position he held for ten years. On taking charge of the schools of that city he at once organized the high school, which graduated its first class in June, 1883. Early in his administration the Bluffton high school was commissioned and the entire school system of the city was brought to such a state of efficiency that it was recognized as one of the best in the state. At the close of an entire decade of service as superintendent of the Bluffton schools, Mr. Allen resigned the position, having negotiated for the purchase of a half interest in the Bluffton Banner. The board of education was reluctant to accept his resignation and endeavored to prevail upon him to continue in the position. But having for some time been desirous of engaging in journalism he adhered to his purpose, and in May, 1891, he assumed editorial charge of the Banner and continued in that position until January, 1902, when he sold his interest in the paper to the present editor. Under his management the paper advanced rapidly in circulation and influence, and was noted for the high tone which characterized its editorial and news columns. Having always been identified with the best and highest interests of the community and county in which he has resided for twenty-five years, he has never hesitated to make bold and effective attacks upon whatever was at war with those best interests. During the eleven years of his connection with the Bluffton Banner he maintained a lively interest in educational affairs, all school enterprises receiving ample and most complimentary notice in his columns. In politics Mr. Allen has always been an uncompromising Democrat and under his direction the Banner led the party to victory in several very closely contested local fights.

On December 25, 1884, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Georgiana Swaim, of Ossian, Indiana, a native of Troy, Ohio. To them were born two children, Forrest, now in his eighteenth year, who will graduate from the Bluffton high school this year, and Lucile, who died February 6, 1891, at the age of two years and four months. In fraternal relations Mr. Allen is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 145, F. & A. M., and also of the Royal Arch chapter. He has been from young manhood a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving for many years on the board of trustees of the Bluffton church. He has been for a long time superintendent of the Sunday school of that church, having recently been elected to that office for the twentieth year. Mrs. Allen and their son Forrest are also members of the same church.