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From: "Linda H. Gutiérrez" <>
Subject: Biographical Sketch of Chauncey ALLEN
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 13:12:26 -0600


The following biography appears on pages 756 & 759 in the

"History of Rochester and Monroe County New York From the Earliest Historic Times to the Beginning of 1907" by William F. PECK, The Pioneer Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1908.

**Other surnames of interest in this biography: TERRY, STEELE, HOLMES, & CLARK


The death of Chauncey ALLEN, which occurred in Clarkson township, Monroe county, May 28, 1906, was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends as well as to the members of his own household. In his lifetime the people ever regarded him as a man honorable in business, loyal in citizenship, and true to every trust reposed in him, standing as a high type of American manhood.

He was a native of Monroe county, born on the 26th of May, 1818, a son of Captain Isaac ALLEN, who was born in Enfield, Connecticut, April 26, 1794, and who in 1816 came to Monroe county, where he carried on the hatter's trade. The family are of Welsh descent, tracing their ancestry back to John ALLEN, who was buried in Enfield in 1640. Captain Isaac ALLEN was the second of three brothers, the others being John, who died in Michigan and Chauncey. Upon his arrival in Monroe county, Isaac ALLEN purchased an acre of land in the village of Clarkson and there carried on business as a hatter. In 1817 he returned to his old home in Connecticut, and on the 10th of September of that year was united in marriage to Miss Mary TERRY, of Enfield, after which he returned with his bride to his new home in Clarkson. In March, 1819, he purchased a tract of land near Hamlin Center, to which he removed and there made his home for four years. He then disposed of that property and purchased!
a second tract on the Ridge road west of Clarkson, this property now being owned by his grandson, Claud ALLEN. The wife and mother passed away in 1876, being survived by her husband for almost a decade, when he, too, passed away in 1885, in his ninety-first year.

Chauncey ALLEN was reared on the old home farm, assisting his father in the various tasks which fall to the lot of the farm lad, and in the district schools near his father's home he pursued his studies during the winter months. When starting out upon an independent business venture he chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. In 1843 he purchased a tract of land, comprising one hundred and twenty-three acres in Clarkson township, this property being now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Celia STEELE. It was void of improvements when it came into possession of Mr. ALLEN, but he at once undertook the task of improving and cultivating the land and in due course of time brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He likewise erected a residence of cobble stone, the lumber used for the interior being cut from his land and hauled to Rochester, where it was sawed and finished. This is one of the substantial as well as attractive homes of this p!
art of the state. Mr. ALLEN also set out a six-acre orchard, which is still in bearing. He was practical and progressive in his methods of farm labor and eventually became one of the prosperous and highly esteemed citizens of Clarkson township.

Mr. ALLEN was married to Miss Susan HOLMES, who was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, 1824, a daughter of Gideon HOLMES. Her death occurred March 24, 1880, and she was survived by her husband and two daughters, Celia and Frances ALLEN. The elder daughter, Celia, was born on the farm which is her present home, and her early education was acquired in the schools of Clarkson, while her more advanced studies were pursued in Brockport Normal. In October, 1878, she gave her hand in marriage to William H. STEELE, who was born in Livingston county, New York, June 6, 1840, a son of Theron and Ruth M. (CLARK) STEELE, the latter a native of Connecticut. They were farming people of Livingston county and their family numbered four children: William H.; Daniel, who was born in July, 1843; Lucy, who was born in 1846; and John W., whose birth occurred in December, 1848. William H. STEELE acquired his education in Lyman and Rochester, where he attended Peck's private school. He and his!
wife now occupy the old ALLEN home in Clarkson township. The younger daughter, Frances ALLEN, was born in August, 1860, and her death occurred June 13, 1905. She wedded Edward VICKERS and they made their home in Clarkson, where he was engaged in business as a wagon-maker. Of this marriage there were two sons, Chauncey H. and Terry W.

Mr. ALLEN gave his political support to the men and measures of democracy and served as deacon and elder. He was justly numbered among the prominent and representative citizens of Monroe county, for he belonged to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for individual benefit, but also advances the general good and promotes public prosperity. He spent his entire life in this county, covering a period of eighty-five years, and was therefore familiar with the pioneer development of this section, for he was closely identified with the progress which was made along various lines, and therefore no history of Monroe county would be complete without mention of his life.

*****

I am not related nor do I have any connection to any of the persons in the above biography.

Linda
in Costa Rica

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