Braxton Benn ~ Henry County, Iowa
Surnemes in bio: ALLEN-BENN-WADE-WARREN-ANDERSON-
SAYLES-MAHAFSFY-MUSGROVE-WENGER-PICKLE
ISAAC W. ALLEN
Of Henry Co., Iowa, he resides on Sect. 9, Jefferson Twp.,
and is engaged in farming. Jackson Allen, father of our
subject, came with his family from Clarke Co., OH, in
October 1846, and located in Henry County, and filed a
claim upon land one mile south of where Wayland now
stands. Braxton Benn had built a small cabin and for
this and his claim Mr. Allen traded a span of horses.
In Ohio, Jackson Allen wedded Mary Ann Wade, and eleven
children were born to them in that state, two of whom
were twins who died in infancy, their names being
Mary A. and Julia A.; John, who is married and resides
near Stockton, CA; Maria became the wife of Erastus
Warren, who died in the army; Jesse, husband of Rachel
Anderson is a farmer residing in Jefferson Twp.; Reece
wedded Melissa J. Warren, and resides in Jefferson Twp;
Ellen D. wedded J. N. Allen, now deceased, who was ex-
County Clerk of Henry Co.; his widow resides in Mt.
Pleasant; our subject then followed; then came Jane
who died unmarried; Samantha, residing in Council
Bluffs, is the wife of Edward Sayles, agent at the
Union Depot in that city; Sarah E., is the widow of
Dennis Warren, and Alvin S., husband of Ara Mahafsfy,
resides in Wayland and was born in this county. Alvin
was older than Sarah. The last three were born in Henry
Co.
Jackson Allen entered 40 acres and purchased the claim
mentioned. After a long lifetime spent on the farm,he
sold the first purchase, and removed to Wayland. Mrs.
Allen died atthe age of 67, and Mr. Allen is in his
80th year. He was for several yearsin the early
history of the county, Assessor, and Township Trustee.
He was active in the erection of the M. E. Church at
Wayland, of which his wife was a member. He was by
birth and profession a Friend, worshipping at their
church in Wayland.
Isaac Allen was born in 1844, and since age two has
been a resident of Henry Co., with the exception of
three years in California. He was educated, married,
and has reared a family on her soil and is one of her
best known men. In 1867 he married Miss Keziah
Musgrove of this county. She was born and raised in
Clark Co., IL. Her people have all removed from that
State to KS, and her father, John Musgrove, a member
of Co. H, 25th Infantry, died in the service. Reece
Allen was a member of the same company and regiment,
and also Erastus Warren.
Since the marriage of Isaac Allen and Miss Musgrove
five children have graced their home: Cora B.; Ella M.
who married C. C. Wenger, Jr.,of Wayland, Dec.8, 1887;
John Jackson, Bessie I., and Anna. Mr. Allen resides
on the farm 1st purchased by his father, adjoining the
town of Wayland, known as the R. M. Pickle farm, and
a portion of which comprises the village plat of
Wayland. When a young man he learned the blacksmithing
trade of M. C. McCormick & Son, and started a shop of
his own in Wayland, at which trade he worked 20 years,
then bought his present farm and went to farming.
Henry County, Iowa 1888 bio.