Clarinda Harris "Clara" Allen (Hamlin)

Clarinda H. Hamlin was born in Exira Township, Audubon County, Iowa on February 24, 1858. She was the daughter of Margaret and Nathaniel Hamlin.

She was married to John M. Allen at the Hamlin home Oct. 16, 1874.

Mr. Allen, who migrated from Tennessee to Iowa following the Civil War, again moved in 1907, this time bringing his wife and family to Plankinton, South Dakota, where they established a residence in Firesteel township.

Six boys and three girls were born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, five of whom preceded her in death.

Those remaining are Mrs. Francis Covey, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Oma Stauffer, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Herbert and Harry, of Plankinton.

Other descendants include 34 grand-children; about 60 great -grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Allen's father operated the first stage line in Iowa and built the first frame house in Audubon County, Iowa. a building now maintained as a museum. Hamlin, Iowa is named in honor of the Hamlin family.

Mrs. Allen died Sunday at the Methodist Hospital, Mitchell, after a short illness following a fall on the preceding Friday, Sept. 23.

She has been known for several generations as "Grandma" Allen. She was a wonderful mother an affectionate grandmother, and a kind, considerate neighbor.

Her husband died in May, 1919. Since that time Mrs. Allen has lived in the home of her son Harry near Plankinton.

A resident of Aurora county for the past 42 years, Mrs. Allen often spoke of her early days here when homes were far and little of the land was under cultivation.

Funeral services were conducted at the First Methodist Church of Plankinton at two o'clock, Sept. 28, with Rev. Ralph Johnson in charge of ceremonies. Interment was in the Plankinton cemetery. ............

My thanks to Rex and Janet Welsh for sharing this obituary with me, and to the many members of the Allen and Welch families for their contributions.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 13 2021, 20:32:17 UTC