JOHN ALLAN - A resident of Hall County for forty-five years, John Allan has
the distinction of being head of the firm that has the only abstract business in the county. During his long residence here he has seen much public service, and through this, as well as through his various business interests, has been a helpful factor in building up and developing this thriving part of the state.
Mr. Allan was born May 30, 1850, in Scotland. He is a son of John and Margaret (Watson) Allan, who passed their entire lives in the land of their birth, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits. They were highly respected people of their community and devout members of the Scotch Presbyterian church and through their example and teachings reared a family which survives to reflect credit upon their rearing. Of the thirteen children, eleven are living, but only four are residents of the United States: John, James, who is a resident of Wood River, Nebraska; Mrs. Jessie Wilson, of Doniphan, this state; and Henry, formerly a resident of Hall County and for eight years clerk of the district court, but now a resident of Seattle, Washington.
John Allan received his education in the public schools of his native land. He was reared to an agricultural life, but the opportunities for advancement did not seem to be promising enough in the place of his birth and he decided to try his fortunes in the land across the waters. He was less than nineteen years of age when he arrived in this country, February 4, 1869, and was only three-three years old when he came to Hall County. For eight years following his arrival he was engaged in teaching school at Wood River, but at the end of that period secured employment in the courthouse at Grand Island. Two years later he was elected to the office of district clerk, which he filled with such ability that he was retained in office by consecutive elections until he had established an incumbency of sixteen years. In the meantime, in 1884, he had founded a small abstract business, which he built up gradually until it assumed large proportions, and at the expiration of his final term of office he began to give the business his undivided attention. The firm of John Allan & Son is now one of the large and important business concerns of the county seat and the only abstract business in Hall County. While abstracts are given the greater part of Mr. Allan's attention, he also handles real estate, insurance and loans, and is known as an astute and careful man of business, an excellent judge of land values, and a man of the highest probity and integrity. A Republican in his political views, in addition to the service mentioned above he has contributed to his community his labors in the offices of deputy county clerk and deputy clerk of the district court. His fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd fellows, of which order he is past grand master. With the members of his family, he belongs to the Episcopal church.
Mr. Allan was married June 18, 1885, at Grand Island, to Miss Fannie L. Garrett, who was born in Iowa, and of their children, three are living: Leo G., who was his father's partner in business, a former member of the Nebraska National Guards, who is now captain of Company M, 134th Infantry, A. E. F., France; Elsie M., who is assisting in her father's office during the absence of her brothers; and Rex J., who in April 1918, enlisted in the United States Navy, and is now stationed at Brooklyn, New York. Prior to enlistment he was attending the Colorado School of Mines at Golden, Colorado, and when discharged intends to complete his education in that institution.
History of Hall County
by Buechler, Barr, & Stough (Published 1920)
Transcribed by Larry Coates
