James M. Allen

James M. Allen was born October 4, 1823, to David and Sarah Allen, natives of Connecticut and New York State. After his father's death in a coal shaft in 1832, the family moved to Madison Township. In 1846, he married Martha M. Sargent of Jackson Co. To this union were born eleven children, seven of whom survived into adulthood: Fannie, Sarah, William, Georgiana A., Emma, and Grace. Mr. & Mrs. Allen were members of the United Brethren Church and he was a Republican.