Obituaries of Hiram Van Allen and sons Alexander and John D.


Hiram, Alexander, John D., Jacob and Catherine Van Allen's obituaries were sent in by Paul Horvat. If anyone would like further family information on the Van Allen family, they can contact Paul at sunysa@aol.com.

Contact with the sexton of Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet, Il., reveals that Hiram Van Allen was interred to lot 53, block M on 07/02/1893. His death certificate says that at the time of his death, Hiram was 87 years, 6 months, ? days old. He died of old age. He was living in the 5th ward in Chicago at 2233 Wentworth Ave. His listed occupation is a farmer. His actual death date was June 30, 1893 at 10:00 P.M.

Hiram's obituary from the Joliet, Il. Herald News read:

"News was received here yesterday of the death of Hiram Van Allen, which sad event occurred at the home of his son in Chicago. Mr. Van Allen was well and favorably known in Joliet, having located here in 1848, and lived here from that time up to a couple of months ago, when he and his wife went to Chicago to live with a son. He was born in Monham, N.Y., August 23, 1806, and was married to Eliza Hildreth June 18, 1829. Twelve children were born to them, of which number four are living. His wife survives him to mourn his loss."

"The funeral will be held this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, at the Eastern Avenue Baptist Church."

The following is a little information and an obituary for my gg-grandfather, Alexander Van Allen (who sometimes went by the name, Elihu):

Alexander Van Allen, born 02/23/1836 in Manheim, was the son of Hiram Van Allen and Eliza Hildreth. He married Julia Lamping on 12/29/1860. The ceremony was performed by Patrick Farrelly, a Catholic priest from St. Patrick's Church, Joliet, Il. He died on August 29, 1911. Cause of death from his death certificate reads: "Gradual failure of vital powers, softening of the brain". His obituary from the Joliet, Il Herald News reads as follows:

"Van Allen, Alex - died this morning at 5 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Keltie at the Mound after an extended illness. He was an old resident of Joliet, having lived here for about 50 years. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. John Keltie, Mrs. Charles Dewey, and three sons, Robert and Charles, all of Joliet and Sidney of Chicago. The funeral will be held tomorrow from the home of his daughter, Mrs. Keltie, with interment in Oakwood Cemetery."

The following are obituaries for John D. Van Allen, son of my ggg-grandparents, Hiram Van Allen and Eliza Hildreth, who were residents of Manheim, NY:

John D. Van Allen - born 1840 in Manheim, NY, died December 29, 1904. He was interred in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet, Il, Dec. 31, 1904. His cause of death was heart exhaustion, a contributing cause being pleuro-pneumonia. At the time of his death, John D. was living at 3932 Prairie Ave., Chicago, Il. His listed occupation was a watchman. John D. has the only stone on the Van Allen plot. On it's concrete base is marked 20th Illinois Infantry, Lincoln Post, Chicago, Il. His obituaries are interesting and read as follows:

JOHN D. VAN ALLEN DIED IN CHICAGO

Was Formerly City Marshall of Joliet - Funeral Saturday

"John D. Van Allen died today, December 29, at his residence, 3932 Prairie Avenue, Chicago. He had reached the age of 74 years. The funeral will take place from the Eastern Avenue Baptist church, Joliet, at 10 o'clock Saturday morning, Dec. 31. Mr. Van Allen was at one time city marshall of Joliet and enlisted as a soldier in the civil war in 1863 from Joliet."

Another obit:

EARLY DAY MARSHAL OF JOLIET IS DEAD

John D. Van Allen, a Brave Soldier Passes Away


AT THE AGE OF 74 YEARS

"Pioneer of the "Stone City". Heeded Lincoln's Call and Enlisted in 1862 in This City - Distinguished Himself by Bravery and patriotism- Funeral Here Tomorrow Morning."

"John D. VanAllen, many years ago city marshal of Joliet, died yesterday at his home, 3932 Prairie avenue, Chicago, aged 74 years. Mr. VanAllen enlisted in the union service in Joliet in 1862 and served until the end of the war, distinguishing himself for his bravery and patriotism. The funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock at the Eastern avenue Baptist church in the city."

Another obit also appeared:

PIONEER OF JOLIET DIES IN CHICAGO


JOHN D. VAN ALLEN SUCCUMBS TO AN ATTACK OF PNEUMONIA


"John D. Van Allen, one of Joliet's old residents, died Thursday of pneumonia at his home, 3932 Prairie avenue, Chicago. The remains will be brought to Joliet tomorrow morning, and the funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock in the Eastern Avenue Baptist Church."

"The Van Allen family lived in Joliet forty years ago, and one or two of the boys were conductors on the C & A railroad. Mr. Van Allen was an old soldier and a member of the G.A.R. He entered the army as a member of Co. 23, Twentieth Ill. Volunteers at Joliet, April 22, 1861 and served until June 13, 1864. Mr. Van Allen was at one time city marshal of Joliet."

These obituaries appeared in the Joliet Herald News. For further information on the Van Allen family, contact me, Paul Horvat, at my e-mail address, Sunysa@aol.com.


Here's an obit that I found for my 4th great grandfather, Jacobus Van Allen. Jacobus Van Allen was baptized 30 August, 1771 at the Lutheran Trinity Church of Stone Arabia, son of Peter Van Allen and Maria Ellwood. He was married to Catharine Zimmerman (born around 1780). He died @ Manheim 19 February1825. Jacobus's obituary was listed in the People's Friend, a Little Falls newspaper, dated 02/23/1825. It reads:

"Van Allen, Jacob. In Manheim, on 02/19/1825, aged 56 years. He came into a store with a large jug, to get a gallon of whiskey. While the whiskey was drawing, he sat by the stove, chatting with one or two of his neighbors and seemed in perfect health and spirits. After the whiskey was drawn he was asked to hand the jug over the counter; which he did and then sat down again. In a moment his head sunk on his bosom and he was dead. "

His children were:

Peter J.: b.ca.1797, unmarried
David: m. Mrs Elizabeth Hager
John F.: b.1802, m. a Miss Gardiner
Francis: m. Margaret Hildreth
Hiram: b. 08/23/1806, m. 06/13/1829 Eliza Hildreth, d. 07/01/1893
Archibald: b. 07/04/1808, m. Catherine Martin, d. 09/14/1881?
Rosina: b.??, m. Peter Youker; d.??
Eliza: b.??, m. Rufus Jones; d.??
Catharine: b.??, m. Andrew Lightheart; d.??
Delia: b.??, m. Seymour E. Wolcott; d.??
Emily: b.??, m. William Robison, d.??

Would like to correspond with anyone having connecting families. Interested parties can contact me, Paul Horvat, at my e-mail address, sunysa@aol.com


The following is an obit and letter that I found regarding Mrs. Catherine Van Allen, wife of Archibald Van Allen (brother of my ggg-grandfather Hiram):

From the Herkimer Democrat, dated 09/19/1849:

Van Allen, Catharine Mrs.--In Manheim, on 09/05/1849, an inquest was help upon the drowned corpses of Mrs. Van Allen, wife of Archibald Van Allen, aged about 45, and her son of 17 months, who met their melancholy fate (as is supposed) in trying to ford the Mohawk River near the Lansing place. Leaves 5 children from whom she had been separated for some time past.

From early Manheim vital statistics book, 1847-1850:

Truman VanAllen, born 02/23/1848, son of Archibald and Catherine VanAllen.

Catherine Van Allen, age 37, and Truman VanAllen, age 1, both died September 3, 1849 of drowning


Below is a letter for application in the D.A. R. from Mrs. C.O. Dewey, giving further detail on Catherine and her husband Archibald Van Allen:

Dec. 3, 1930
St. Joseph, MO

Rev. George L. Van Allen
Swarthmore, Pa.

My dear sir:

I trust you will pardon me for addressing you but I am endeavoring to establish my eligibility to become a member of the D.A.R. organization thru the Van Allen family, it being my mother's maiden name. I was referred to Rev L.H. Van Allen, Boston, Mass. and wrote him. He is overseas and my letter was forwarded to him He replied, relating he is confined in a hospital, Florence, Italy waiting for a broken leg to heal (where he had been nearly nine months) and seemed rather disheartened as to ultimate results. All of his papers are in the U.S. and he suggested I write you - hence my reason for doing so. He is the great-great grandson of Capt. Peter Van Allen, an officer in the Revolutionary War. My mother, Alida Diamond Van Allen and my father, John Nicholas Korn were married at Palantine Bridge, New York, Oct. 1st, 1857 at the home of Zachariah Neahr (mother's uncle whose wife was Sophia Martin) the Rev. Tom Meeker officiating. They resided in Canajoharie, NY where four of their children were born, I being the third child named Alice Estelle Korn born February 22nd, 1863. When near three years of age my parents moved to Missouri. Three years ago I visited my native state and birth place. Unfortunately the younger generation of Van Allens could not give me authentic data. The Klock family of children still reside in Canajoharie. They are cousins of mine. Their mother and my mother were sisters. I also found a cousin of mothers there, Abner Hatter nee Mayme Neahr. When mother was about twelve years of age her parents were out boat-riding when the boat capsized and they were drowned. Mother then was reared in her Aunt- Mrs. Neahr's home. Mother passed away Dec. 6th, 1900. I will give you the family genealogy as far back as I have records sincerely hoping you may be able to help me and I assure you it will be very greatly appreciated. Several years ago, I wrote a relative regarding my ancestors and they said undoubtedly there was a Revolutionary Soldier thru whom I ought to be able to establish my right to become a D.A.R. If not thru the Van Allen line there were the Reeds (or Reid) and Martins' who were among the oldest and best families of NY. and relatives of the family.

Grandparents:
Archibald Van Allen, b. 07/04/1808, d. 09/14/1881
Catherine Martin Van Allen (wife), b.10/11/1812

Their children:

George F. : b. 09/12/1836, d.1898
Alida D. : mother b.01/28/1838, d.1899
Cordelia: b. 01/07/1840, d.1841
Melissa A.: Mrs. Klock b.10/19/1841, d.1920
Mary J. : Mrs. Young b.10/25/1848, d.1917
Emery J. " ": b.12/21/1845, d.1864
Truma: b. 02/18/1847, d. in infancy

George F. and Emery Jacob were in the service during the Civil War, the latter as a drummer boy. My husband is Dr. C.O. Dewey. He having done general practice until five years ago when he felt the need of letting down a little, and is now on the staff of physicians at State Hospital St. Joseph, MO. Our only child, a married daughter lives in this city, too. Thanking you in advance, I am sincerely your kinsman (perhaps).

Mrs. C.O. Dewey

Anyone wanting further information on these families can contact me, Paul Horvat, at my e-mail address, sunysa@aol.com




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Last Updated: 2/13/02
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