Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 80.
 
ALLEN BROTHERS' GARAGE
 
   In the automobile circles of Marion county no firm is better known or
commands to a greater degree the public confidence than Allen Brothers, of
Silverton, dealers in Willys Knight and Overland Whippet cars. They have
conducted their business here for the past twelve years and have made an
enviable record for progressive and effective commercial methods. The business
was established in 1915 by R. G., L. C. and F. W. Allen, who operated together
until 1922, when R. G. became postmaster of Silverton, and his place in the firm
was taken by another brother, D. R. Allen. They were at first located near the
railroad track and confined their attention entirely to bicycles, but afterward
became local dealers for the Ford line of cars. Later, in succession, they
handled the Star, Dodge and Chevrolet cars, and in 1923 took over the Willys
Knight and Overland lines, in the handling of which they have been eminently
successful, selling an average of one hundred and twenty-five cars a year. In
1923-4 they erected their present handsome and commodious building, constructed
of concrete, seventy by three hundred and eighty-three feet in size, affording
them twenty-six thousand, eight hundred and ten square feet of floor space. In
addition to the cars mentioned, they handle a full line of accessories, tires
and parts, maintain a completely equipped repair department and do a general
garage business. They are the oldest automobile dealers in Silverton, their
territory covering this city and vicinity, and are numbered among the leading
automobile firms of Marion county.
 
   L. C. Allen was born in Silverton on the 6th of June, 1884, and is a. son of
T. D. and Geneva (Wolford) Allen, mentioned in the sketch of Reber G. Allen, on
other pages of this work. He secured his education in the public schools of
Silver-ton and took a commercial course in a business college in Portland. He
then was employed for several years in Wolford's store, after which he entered
the present business. His brother, F. W., had been for several years employed in
the bicycle store of Roscoe Langley, who later sold his business to the Allen
brothers, which was the beginning of the present firm. They have shown excellent
judgment in the conduct of the business and are regarded as enterprising,
thorough and progressive in their methods.
 
   In 1921 L. C. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Sylva McGinnis, who was
born in Kansas and is a daughter of B. S. and Delia (Kruse) McGinnis, of whom
the latter died in 1926. Mr. McGinnis is a prosperous farmer near Silverton and
is well and favorably known throughout this section of the county. Mr. Allen is
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World,
in both of which orders he has filled all the chairs. F. W. Allen was married to
Miss Pearl McGinnis, a sister of Mrs. L. C. Allen, and D. R. Allen was married
to Miss Ruth Anderson. The brothers are men of splendid personal qualities,
genial and friendly in manner, and have shown a commendable interest in
everything pertaining to the welfare of their community, throughout which they
command the respect and good will of their fellow citizens.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2016 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.