Last Saturday evening Mr. D. C. Allen, a respected citizen of this county for 37 years, died of cancer in the hospital at Missouri Valley, Iowa, and the funeral took place Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of his son, Mr. Wm. Allen, on the corner of Washington and 7th. A quartet of singers composed of Messrs VanDeusen, Arndt, Miss Vanola Brunton and Cora Stricklett sang a few of the old sacred songs and Rev. John D. Williams, pastor of Blair Christian Church conducted a short, impressive service. Following is part of the obituary read by the minister.

David Clark Allen was born in Indiana December 7, 1842, and so nearly 75 years of age when he died. When he was four years he came with his parents to Franklin County, Iowa, his father taking a homestead there in 1846. There he grew to manhood and he went out from the farm at the call of his country to defend the Union in the days of the Civil War. He enlisted in the 16th Iowa Infantry giving three years to strenuous and loyal service and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

Returning home to Iowa, he married Miss Abigail Long in 1864. They became the parents of seven children, five girls and two boys. These all survive and were present at the funeral with the exception of one daughter who died in childhood. In 1880 he removed with his family to this county and since has resided here. On Jan. 25 he suffered the loss of his wife by death and in June 1885, he married Miss Rebecca Halstead who has out lived him, though now in such frail health is unable to attend the funeral.

Mr. Allen's children are William Allen of Blair; Mrs. Elsie Stricklett of Blair; Mrs. J. T. Allen, Mrs. M. L. Riggs and Grace Fulton all of Des Moines, Iowa, and Mrs. Iva Stricklett of Blair. The deceased belonged to a family of nine children, two of whom are still in the land of the living.

Long years ago he made a profession of the Christian faith and later joined the United Brethren Church. He has been a member of the Grand Army Post here for many years and took an eager interest in all affairs of patriotic. Peace loving, good natured, and kind, he will be dearly remembered by those who knew and esteemed him. He was a good citizen and leaves behind a humble heritage, exemplary conduct for those that come after him to follow.

According to a history written about James W. Allen's Civil War experiences, his brother David Clark Allen was the first to go of the Allens. He got the measles, took cold and was declared unfit for service. Col. Reeve sent him home and since he was unfit to travel alone, the Col. sent along a Negro to carry him on and off the train. He recovered and when the call came for volunteers, he and James W. volunteered at Hampton, Franklin Co., Iowa. They then went to Davenport, Iowa for training. They were attached to the Army of The Cumberland, and were with General Sherman on his infamous march to the sea.

Published in the Blair Democrat October 18, 1917

D. C. Allen Succumbs To Cancer In Mo. Valley Hospital

D. C. Allen, a resident of Blair for thirty-seven years, died of cancer in the hospital at Mo. Valley, Ia., on Saturday evening October 13, 1917. The remains were brought to Blair Sunday and the funeral was held from the home of his son, William Allen, on East Washington Street Tuesday afternoon, Rev. John B. Williams conducting the last sad rites.

David Clark Allen was born in Indiana, Dec. 7, 1842. When four years old he came with his parents to Franklin County, Ia., where his father homesteaded in 1846. He was a veteran of the Civil War, being a member of the of the 15th Iowa Inf. In 1864 he was married to Miss Abigail Long. To the union seven children were born, one of who died in infancy. Mr. Allen came to Blair in 1880, where he has since resided. In 1884 he lost his wife and again married in June 1885 to Rebekah Halstead who survives him, and with his children, William Allen, Mrs. Elsie Stricklett, and Mrs. Iva Stricklett, and Mrs. J. T. Allen, Mrs. M. L. Riggs, and Mrs. Grace Folden, of Des Moines mourn his demise.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.