Parsons, Col. William and Shiach, W. S.  "An Illustrated History of Umatilla
County and of Morrow County." Spokane, WA: W. H. Lever, 1902. p. 571.
 
REUBEN ALLEN

     The ranks of the old pioneers, than which a more noble and worthy band of
devoted men and women never lived, are thinning fast as the ceaseless roll of
time's ruthless course snaps the thread of existence of one after another, who
thus leave to younger hands and warmer blood the completion of the tasks which
they have so skillfully and faithfully carried on from the incipiency. A
distinguished one among this number, prominent because of his excellent
capabilities and commendable activity, and beloved and esteemed because of his
spotless integrity and intrinsic moral worth, stands the man whose name
initiates this paragraph, and who was called to lay down the burdens of this
existence and fly away to the realms beyond on the eleventh day of December,
1900.
    Reuben Allen was born in Canada on August 31, 1832, being early removed by
his parents to New York state, where he received a public school education and
remained until he had attained his twelfth year. At that time another move was
made to Michigan, settlement being near Battle Creek, where our subject learned
the excellent trade of carpenter and followed it together with the art of the
agriculturist until 1853, then moved to Minnesota, where he took up government
land, and in 1858, to Missouri, and the following year undertook the arduous
journey across the plains to the Golden state, which was accomplished by ox
teams and consumed six months. For six years succeeding this he was engaged in
the search for the hidden treasure in Nature's vaults, and then moved to
Sacramento valley and took up farming for two years, when he removed to Sonoma
county, continuing the same until 1877. At this time he repaired to Washington
territory, near Olympia, and the following year came to what is now Morrow
county. He stopped on Willow creek until the Indian excitement had subsided and
then settled seven and one-fourth miles southeast from Hardman. At this point he
remained until the day of his death, giving his entire attention to farming and
stock raising, being favored with good prosperity in his efforts. During the
last year of his life he had also undertaken wool growing. He owned nearly two
thousand acres of land, half being at the old home place and half was situated
two miles west from Hardman. He also owned nearly two thousand sheep and
considerable other stock. He was always active in the interests of the county
and state, showing a commendable spirit. His remains lie buried on the old home
place, wherein the family now reside.
     The marriage of Mr. Allen and Miss Maria, daughter of Robert and Louisa
Marks, natives of New York, was solemnized on October 3, 1853, the fruit of the
union being the following children: Addie, wife of Stacy Roberts, living on the
home place, their marriage occurring on July 15, 1901 ; William, married and
living at Ashland, Oregon; Lewis, deceased: Anna, wife of Daniel Rice, of this
county; Albert H.; Carrie, wife of L. W. Lewis, of Grant county, Oregon.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2009 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.