(Christian Cassel - John - Christian - William - Rosannah)
Rosannah Cassell (1815-1890)

Rosanna Cassell was born March 16, 1815 in West Hanover, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Rosannah spent her childhood in Pennsylvania. It was there that she learned the art of processing and weaving cloth from her mother. She spun and wove a linen tablecloth before her marriage to James Allen. A piece of this, still may be preserved in the Allen family bible.

At the age of 20, on October 15, 1834, Rosannah married James Allen at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jonestown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. They had four children while they lived in Pennsylvania. Margaret Elizabeth was born on December 2, 1835. William Alfred was born on May 12, 1840. Louisa Jane was born on November 11, 1842 and Sarah Eliza was born on September 19, 1845.

In 1846, Rosannah and James moved to Putnam County, Illinois, where her father and mother had already settled. They settled on a farm in Magnolia township at Cottage Hills between Hennepin and the present village of McNabb.which was south east of Florid, Illinois where her parents lived. There, Rosannah and James had 4 more children. Angeline, who died in infancy, was born on September 2, 1848. Owen Wesley was born on April 11, 1851. Esther Allen was born on September 14, 1853 and Cora was born on May 20, 1857.

The Allens sheltered many of their relatives during their lifetime. Two of these were Sidney Allen, James' nephew and Jacob Albert, Rosannah's nephew. Rosannah and her family worked hard during the day, but the evenings were time to enjoy relaxation while eating popcorn and apples. Rosannah however, was always busy mending or knitting during these times. Rosannah's husband died in 1882 while visiting his daughter Louisa Jane. Rosannah lived another 8 years until she too, passed away on Saturday morning, July 12, 1890. She was buried beside her husband in the Florid cemetery on Monday, July 14, 1890.

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James Allen (1810-1882)

James Allen was born on January 23, 1810 in Hanover, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. James grew up in Pennsylvania. On October 15, 1834, James married Rosannah Cassell at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jonestown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.  

In 1846, James and Rosannah moved to Putnam County, Illinois, where his wife's father and mother had already settled. They settled on a farm in Magnolia township at Cottage Hills between Hennepin and the present village of McNabb.which was south east of Florid, Illinois where Rosannah's parents lived.  James became a successful prosperous farmer and stockraiser. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. James belonged to the Republican party and was a very well-liked member of his community. He was usually known as “Uncle” by his friends and neighbors.

James and Rosannah had four children while they lived in Pennsylvania. Margaret Elizabeth was born on December 2, 1835. William Alfred was born on May 12, 1840. Louisa Jane was born  on November 11, 1842 and Sarah Eliza was born on September 19, 1845. After settling in Illinois, they had 4 more children. Angeline, who died in infancy, was born on September 2, 1848. Owen Wesley was born on April 11, 1851. Esther Allen was born on September 14, 1853 and Cora was born on May 20, 1857.

James and his wife lived out the remainder of their lives in the Cottage Hill community. His death was sudden and unexpected. James had gone to visit his daughter, Louisa Jane and was sitting on a chair at their home when he suddenly died on October 26, 1882. He was buried in the Florid cemetery.

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(John Cassel - Christian Cassel - William Cassell - Rosannah Allen - Angeline)
Angeline Allen (1848 - 1855)

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(John Cassel - Christian Cassel - William Cassell - Rosannah Allen - Margaret)
Margaret Elizabeth Allen (1835-1864)

Margaret was born on December 2, 1835 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Margaret spent the first 10 years of her life in Pennsylvania.  Around 1846, her family moved to Putnam county, Illinois and settled on a farm in Magnolia township at Cottage Hills between Hennepin and the present village of McNabb.  

On May 19, 1857, Margaret married William W. Reynolds in Putnam County, Illinois.  They were married by Reverend C. Cross.  The Hennepin Tribune published this announcement:

Married on the 19th inst. by Rev. C. Cross, Mr. W. W. Reynolds to Miss Margaret E. Allen, all of this county.  Our thanks to the happy pair for the cake. Mr. Reynolds has finally been served with an attachment. Forced into court and a jury of his own choosing has pronounced the verdict. It is not for a man to be alone. The execution has been served, the following return made thereof: Serve the within, the defendant delivers himself upon the most suitable property. Execution satisfied. A long life and a blissfull one for both plaintiff and defendant.

Margatet and William settled in the village of Lostant, LaSalle county, Illinois where William taught school and was also a grain merchant.  They had a child in 1860 (name unknown).  Margaet died on August 11, 1864 in Lostant, Illinois.  She was laid to rest in the Florid cemetery.

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(John Cassel - Christian Cassel - William Cassell - Rosannah Allen - Margaret)
William Alfred Allen (1840-1896)

William Allen was born on May 12, 1840 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  William spent the first 6 years of his life in Pennsylvania.  Around 1846, his family moved to Putnam county, Illinois and settled on a farm in Magnolia township at Cottage Hills between Hennepin and the present village of McNabb.  

On March 25, 1869, William married Emily Durley in Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois.  They had two children, Mary Margaret and Mildred.  In 1874, William moved his family to Iowa and then on to New Windsor, Illinois.  Before he moved, he sold 600 acres of the timber land he owned to Elsie Rouseu.  In April of 1876, William returned to Putnam county.  William worked as a farmer and store merchant until 1886.  He then moved his family to Henry, Illinois.  By 1891, he held a position in a store owned by Patrick Dore.  William continued to live in Henry the remainder of his life.

William died on Thursday, October 8, 1896.  The Henry Republican newspaper stated: "The death of Mr. Allen was sudden.  He had gone to work as usual that morning, first at T. F. Clovers where he finished a job, then to W. Schroeder's. At Mr. Clover's he took a dose of soda from a box he took from his pocket, saying to Mrs. Clover that he was ill. He also remarked that he was unable to see.  But the severe attack came on at Mr. Schroeder's where he gave up work and started to go home, falling at the gate and expired.  Leonard Hunter happened at the gate as he fell and lifting him up he gasped several times and then all was over.  He was taken into Mr. Schroeder's by Mr. Hunter, E. Camry and others and later was taken home.  The doctor pronounced his case one of apoplexy." William was laid to rest in the Riverside cemetery in Hennepin, Illinois on Friday, October 9, 1896.

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(John Cassel - Christian Cassel - William Cassell - Rosannah Allen - Jane)
Louisa "Jane" Allen (1842-1929)

Jane Allen was born on November 11, 1842 in Reading, Pennsylvania.  When she was four years old, her family moved to Putnam County and settled on a farm in the Cottage Hill community between Hennepin and present McNabb.  On November 4, 1859, Jane married Josiah Umbarger in Putnam county, Illinois.  They had six children, Allie, Ada, Hattie, Jennie, Jesse and Almond.

About 1869, Jane and Josiah moved to a farm north of Melvin, Illinois in Ford County.  They continued to live there for the next 30 years.  In 1898, Josiah retired from farming and they moved into the city of Melvin.  Josiah died in 1909.  Jane continued to live at her home in Melvin until her death on January 19, 1929.  The Monday following her death she was laid to rest beside her husband in the Melvin Cemetery.

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(John Cassel - Christian Cassel - William Cassell - Rosannah Allen - Owen)
Owen Wesley Allen (1851-1933)

Owen Allen was born on April 11, 1851 on a farm in the Cottage Hill community between Hennepin and present McNabb.  He attended the local schools, later on attending high school in Hennepin, Illinois.  At the age of 22, on February 27, 1873, Owen married Mary J. Edwards at Cottage Hill.  Owen and Mary never had any children.

Owen was a very wealthy farmer and owned several farms in and around the Cottage Hill Community.  By 1907, Owen possessed 390 acres of farmland in Magnolia and Hennepin Townships, Putnam County, Illinois.  Owen made most of his income raising thoroughbred stock.  He specialized in hogs and cattle.

In 1900, he decided to retire from farming and moved to Henry, Illinois.  His wife was always in delicate health and died on March 22, 1910.  Owen remarried about 1912 and in 1917, at the age of 66, he had his only child, Virgina.  Owen remained in Henry the rest of his life.  He continued to take an active part in his business interests up until the time of his death.  After his death, he was laid to rest in the Henry cemetery.

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For additional information see "Biographical Sketch of Owen W. Allen" by John Spencer, 1907.

(John Cassel - Christian Cassel - William Cassell - Rosannah Allen - Esther)
Esther Ellen "Nellie" Allen  (1853-1886)

Nellie Allen was born on September 14, 1853 on a farm in the Cottage Hill community between Hennepin and present McNabb.  She spent her childhood on the farm.  Nellie married Curtis Anthony Chance on December 31, 1872 in Putnam County, Illinois.  They had six children, Walter, Maude, Frank, Curtis, Orin and Leroy.

After their marriage, Nellie and Anthony settled on a farm near Cottage Hill.  They remained there the rest of their lives.  After the birth of her last child, Nellie never recovered and slowly faded away.  She died at 10:00 a.m. on July 22, 1886 at her home at Cottage Hill.  After her death, she was buried in the Florid cemetery.

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(John Cassel - Christian Cassel - William Cassell - Rosannah Allen - Sarah Eliza)
Sarah "Eliza" Allen  (1845-1909)

Eliza Allen was born on November 11, 1845 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Shortly after Eliza's birth, her family moved to Putnam County, Illinois and settled on a farm in the Cottage Hill community between Hennepin and present McNabb.  Eliza married George F. Forney in 1868 in Putnam County, Illinois.  They had at least 4 children, Melvin, Mabel, Maud and Nellie.  By 1880, Eliza and George were living in Ford County, Illinois.  Eliza died in Ford county on February 10, 1909.

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(John Cassel - Christian Cassel - William Cassell - Rosannah Allen - Cora)
Cora Emma Allen (1857-1909)

Cora Allen was born on May 20, 1857 on a farm in the Cottage Hill community between Hennepin and present McNabb.  She spent her childhood on the farm.  On April 27, 1875, she married Samuel Lodge Eberly in Putnam County, Illinois.  They had four children, Daisy, Lillian, George U. and another child.  By 1880, Cora and Samuel were living in Lostant, Illinois, where Samuel worked as a music teacher.  They continued to live there the remainder of their lives.  Samuel died in 1902.  Cora died from erysipelas on February 17, 1909 in Lostant, Illinois.  She was buried beside her husband in the Lostant cemetery.

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