Lang, H. O., ed. "The History of the Willamette Valley, Being A Description of the Valley and its Resources, with an account of its Discovery and Settlement by White Men, and its Subsequent History; Together with Personal Reminiscences of its Early Pioneers." Portland, OR, Geo. H. Himes, Book and Job Printer, 1885. p. 708. JOHN C. ALLEN Born in Missouri in October, 1825 crossed the plains to California in 1846, having set out for Oregon, but coming to the forks of the trail the caravan changed their mind and went to California. Mr. Allen's father, Isaac Allen, died on the Humboldt, in Nevada. He was a native of East Tennessee. His widow married Eli Brown, and died in January, 1884, aged 89 years. In 1846, J. C. Allen served in a military company acting as a home guard during the Mexican war. He mined for gold, and assisted in the organization of Contra Costa County, California. In 1850 he came to Oregon, and took a donation claim in Polk County, and lives now on an adjoining farm. His principal occupation in Oregon has been farming, but he has traveled to Eastern Oregon and to the Salmon River mines. Married in 1851, Miss Catharine McNary, and by her had four children, William W. (deceased), Isaac A., John W., and James D. Mrs. Allen died in 1861, and in 1864 he married Miss Miriam Harris. Children: Lena, Roy, Kate, Elsie, Charles, and Hugh. Mr. Allen is a Republican, and has held seats in both houses of the State Legislature. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2013 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.