Title: George Allen Diaries
Inclusive Dates: 1874-1900

Creator:

• Allen, George, 1820-1899

Call Number: Micro 786; Stevens Point Micro 14

Quantity: 1 reel of microfilm (35mm)

Repository:

Housed at the Nelis R. Kampenga University Archives & Area Research Center, Learning Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Stevens Point Library / Stevens Point Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Short entry diary recording Allen's daily activities as a farmer in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, 1874-1880, and as a Waupaca resident, 1880-1899, including notation of farm work, the weather, and visitors.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-micr0786

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George Allen, farmer and Civil War soldier, was born 25 February 1820 in Sturbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, the youngest son of Timothy and Theresa (Marsh) Allen. The family moved to Madison County, New York, where Theresa died, in 1826. Timothy Allen, accompanied by George, moved to Wisconsin in 1846, Timothy died the following year at the age of 66. George Allen bought land in Winnebago County, but he returned to Massachusetts in 1846. Married to Julia Ann Richmond in 1848, he returned to Winnebago County, Wisconsin. They remained there until 1855 when they settled in Dayton, Waupaca County. With the outbreak of the Civil War, George Allen enlisted in Company A, 8th Wisconsin Infantry on 13 September 1861. He served in Missouri before contracting scurvy in June 1862. The following spring he was to rejoin his regiment at Vicksburg, but he was detained by General Hurlburt in Memphis. Released with an honorable discharge on 16 September 1864 he returned to farming in Wisconsin. The Allens moved to the city of Waupaca in 1880 leaving the management of the farm to their son, Merrick Timothy Allen. George Allen joined the G.A.R. Post No. 21 in April 1882.

The papers consist of five diaries, 1874-1900. The diaries include entries documenting Allen's everyday life. Prior to 1880 the entries refer to splitting wood, planting and sowing the crops, going to town and to church, and other farm activities. After 1880 there are fewer entries which relate directly to the farm life, but there are more references to the weather, to church attendance, visiting relatives, and household chores.

Acquisition Information

Originals loaned for microfilming by George Allen, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 1979. Accession Number: M79-175

Processing Information

Processed by Gregor Trinkaus-Randall and Max J. Evans, 1980.