A.P. Allen

The Allens:

The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 opened up the Nebraska Territory for settlement. Among the earliest of pioneers that claimed land in Washington County were the sons of John and Martha (Clark) Allen. Robert, Thomas, Clinton, Archilles and John Allen, Jr. were all born in Lee County Virginia but removed with their parents and other family members to Edgar County, Illinois, in the early 1830’s. They each purchased 160 acres of bounty land from less adventuresome eastern war veterans. Thomas J. was the trail-blazer for the family. He first came to Nebraska from Kanesville (Council Bluffs), Iowa when he tool part in a preliminary scout of what would soon be Omaha City. By July of 1854, Omaha had one structure - a ferry house built by Thomas and located at 12th and Jackson Streets. It served as the company claim house for the ambitious promoters of the city. Rhoda Carlisle Allen, step-daughter of Thomas is said to have been the first white woman to reside in Omaha. Thomas and his family came to Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, at a time when there were fewer than five families living there. He played an active role in the claim clubs and the development of Fort Calhoun. He would often drive an ox team to Omaha for building material and provisions. At this time, he would meet the ferry and escort new settlers through prairie grass as high as the oxen’s back to their home in Fort Calhoun. Thomas was a very colorful character and served as the first territorial sheriff in 1854. He was married to Harriet Rumsdell. Their children were John, Harriet, Gilbert, and Charles. Their daughter Rhoda, then Mrs. Craig Allen, remained in Fort Calhoun. Robert Allen and his wife Nancy (Simpson) came to Washington County in 1856 and left by 1860. Clinton, a bachelor, also only remained in the county a few years. Archilles Pinkney Allen came to Washington County in 1856. He opened the first general store in Fort Calhoun and later fought in the Civil War (GAR) opposite his cousins and possibly his brothers. During the war years his family moved to Missouri, but later returned to Washington County. He was instrumental in plotting the Fort Calhoun Cemetery. "Pink" and his wife Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) were the parents of four daughters: Clara, Lucy, Martha, and Sarah. John Allen and his wife Mary (Cammerer) arrived in Washington County in 1856. This family established themselves in the community and acquired land that is now into the sixth generation of farm production. Submitted by Merri Vinton

Source: Washington County Nebraska History 1980, page 107. The Washington County Historical Association.