John S. Allen

As a further exemplification of the class and character of pioneers, the development of their communities and 'the characteristics of the leadership they best loved to follow, I introduce here an obituary of Elder John S. Allen, written by the late Colonel D. J. Heaston:

"John S. Allen was born in Overton County, Tennessee, June 26, 1814. He died at his home in Bethany December 13, 1893, aged seventy-seven years. In 1832 he moved to Illinois, where in 1835 he was married to Nancy Childress, who still survives him, and who for fifty-eight years was his worthy companion and helpmeet.

"In 1841 he came to Missouri and settled near Bethany. There were at that time very few white people living north of Bethany. He was among the advance guard of white settlers, living upon the margin of civilization. At that time the land here had not been surveyed and each settler built his cabin and cultivated such land as he desired. At that time Harrison County was not organized, but the territory was attached to Daviess County for general purposes. In 1845 the county of Harrison was organized and the county seat was located where Bethany now stands and a quarter section of land was entered in the name of John S. Allen for county seat purposes, and he was appointed to lay off the town and sell the lots. He was also appointed commissioner to build a court house, which duties he performed very acceptably. In the spring of 1846 upon the death of Thomas Flint, circuit and county clerk. Parson Allen was appointed to fill the vacancy, which office he filled for about six months, but refused to be a candidate for re-election.

"In 1861, when a state convention was elected consisting of three delegates from each senatorial district to consider the relations of Missouri to the Union, to decide which course our state should pursue, John S. Allen was elected one of the delegates from this district. In the several meetings of this convention he exerted all his influence in favor of Missouri remaining in the Union. These were the only political offices he ever held, though often urged to become a candidate for other positions. He preferred the quiet of home and the calling of a preacher to political preferment.

"When the Masonic Lodge was organized in Bethany in 1853 he was one of the first to take the degrees, and afterwards served several years as worshipful master.

"In 1850 Parson Allen engaged in mercantile business in Bethany and continued therein until his death. When in his prime he did a fair share of the business, but of late years he used but little exertions to keep up trade.

"In 1872 he with others organized the Bethany Savings Bank, of which he was long the president and a large stockholder.

"When the public lands were first opened for entry in this county he entered a large amount of choice lands and from this source and judicious management and that careful economy that distinguished him, accumulated considerable property. While he was careful and close in his business affairs it is believed that he never knowingly wronged one out of a cent.

"I have not yet spoken of Parson Allen's religious life and character. It was in this that he was best known and most distinguished, and will be longest remembered. In 1827 he had united with the Christian Church and had been made an elder in the congregation. As soon as he had pitched his tent in the new country he had called his neighbors together "on the first day of the week" and in the shade of an unbroken forest he preached to them the unsearchable riches of the Gospel, and upon the very edge of civilization he erected an altar for the worship of the one true and living God and afterwards for forty years he continued to preach to his congregation and break bread with them around their alter 'without money and without price.' Besides preaching freely at home, he helped to organize other congregations in this and adjoining counties. He also gave liberally of his means as the Lord prospered him to build churches and carry on the good work. He never wavered or doubted but was a constant and consistent Christian.

"He was not a religious zealot, but was a good, straightforward, every day Christian, always the same without variableness or shadow of turning. I believe he was the most even tempered man that I ever knew. At all times, in all places and under all circumstances he was the same calm, cool and consistent Christian gentleman.

"With him there was no high tide and low tide, but the same constant, unhurried, overflowing stream, as if supplied from the same unvarying fountain. It may be permitted me to echo what I believe to be the general sentiment of esteem in which he was held by all who knew him.

"As a man he was frank in disposition, courteous in manners, generous in spirit, brave in principle, true to every trust reposed in him. There was about him no pomp, ostentation, or desire to be conspicuous, but on the contrary he was modest, retiring, somewhat reticent and therefore needed to be thoroughly and closely cultivated to be fully understood and appreciated. He was not ambitious of outward show, notoriety or political distinction, but all he did was in the spirit of meekness, and for the advancement of the Master's cause. He hated shams and false teachings and despised hypocrisy. He felt it was his duty to antagonize error and to fight sin.

"He was an uncompromising temperance man because he believed that intoxicating liquors were the cause of much sin and misery. He said to me once that he disliked making temperance speeches because he could hardly do so without offending somebody, and a temperance speech that did not attack the rum traffic had as well not be made. In his kindness of heart he was sorry to hurt the feelings of even the rum seller. Parson Allen had but poor school privileges when young but by extensive reading and close observation of men and things he became a well-informed man. He was not an orator, but a convincing speaker. He spoke from the sincerity of motive and was filled with an honest conviction of right and duty and this made him appear always earnest. He spoke from the heart and generally reached the heart.

"He had a superb voice, clear as crystal and ringing like a bell. He had a commanding appearance and large brain and when he arose before an audience he attracted their attention at once, and held it until he closed. He was an original thinker and naturally witty and seasoned his addresses with enough wit to please, while it entertained and convinced. He interested his hearers by the honest utterance and honest faith of an honest and sincere man. He believed what he said, and a zeal which only comes from devotion to truth kindled corresponding fires in the hearts of his hearers. He was simple, plain and honest in his everyday life and his purity of character was a great element of his strength.

"The personal characters of Parson Allen was full of noble qualities, endearing him to his friends while living, and making his memory a constant delight. Kindness of heart seemed to mellow his whole nature. There was in him neither envy nor hate and only generosity, charity and good will. In many respects he was a remarkable man. For the past fifty years he has been the most prominent man in our county. To him are we more indebted for good society, for religious development, and for all that makes our people happy and good than any other man that ever lived in the county. 'With charity for all and malice toward none' he went about among his neighbors doing good. It was his mission to preach the word, help the poor and aid the deserving.

"Every good work received his pure heart and noble soul. He had the zeal of a martyr and the valor of a patriot. In him was greatness, but it was the greatness of unselfishness, gentle and pure as the heart of a child. In him was charity. Charity white and gentle as the moonlight that shines into the shadow of night. In him was heroism, it was the heroism of the knight that draws no sword but waved in his hand, high above his benevolent brow, the sacred wand of religion, of love and of fraternity.

"By reason of strength and good habits his life was lengthened to the Psalmist's four score years. But now he has gone. He has fallen like the mighty oak in the stillness of the forest. We can only mourn his loss and indulge the fond hope that the good he has done may live after him, that this sad bereavement may do much to help seal the truth he so long taught, that his public utterances like good seed sown upon fertile soil may continue to bring forth good fruits of an hundred fold, and that the hearts of his neighbors may be brought together in a union of fraternity, fellowship and love.

"Having known Parson Allen intimately for more than a third of a century, having counseled and associated with him closely and having been in perfect accord on nearly every question, I deem it a pleasure to bear witness to his many good qualities of head and heart, to make this statement voluntarily, and without solicitation, to pay this tribute of respect to one I have known and admired so long. Farewell, kind teacher. Dear friend, farewell."-D. J. Heaston. 

 Harrison County| AHGP Missouri

Source: History of Harrison County, Missouri, by Geo. W. Wanamaker, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, 1921