Alley, B. F. and Munro-Fraser, J. P.  "History of Clarke County, Washington
Territory : compiled from the most authentic sources ; also biographical
sketches of its pioneers and prominent citizens." Portland, Or. : Washington
Publishing Co., 1885.

ALLEN GILSON, deceased. - This gentleman, one of the old settlers of the Lewis
river country, who starting in a small way, eventually, by honesty and fair
dealing, succeeded in carving out for himself fortune and fame, was born in
Vermont, March 22, 1817.  When fifteen years old he lost his father and shortly
thereafter left home.  The first we know of his precise whereabouts is in 1844,
when working on the Des Moines river in Iowa.  About that date he married in
Mahaska county, Iowa, Elizabeth John, born May 22, 1829, and there were born to
them: Harriet L., on November 4, 1846; Sarah A., April 4, 1848; Hiram, August 5,
1850; Malissa L., February 25, 1852.  With this family Mr. Gilson crossed the
plains in 1852, and having resided in Portland, Oregon, until the spring of
1853, at that time located on the farm now owned by J. W. Copeland, in Clarke
county, where he erected a new mill known to this day as "Gilson's Mill."  He
died at his residence November 7, 1870.  The children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Gilson after their arrival on the Pacific Coast are as follows: C. Alfred
(deceased) born July 22, 1853; Silas A., July 25, 1855; Oliver C., September 20,
1858; Martha J., August 4, 1860; Sumner, September 14, 1864.  The relict of the
subject of our sketch is the wife of William Bolen, but resides with her
youngest son, Sumner Gilson, who is unmarried.  Too much cannot be said in
praise of the love her children cherish for their mother.

Submitted by: Jenny Tenlen

* * * * 

Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.