Husband of Mabel Werts. Son of Tandy Allen and Joanna Smith Van Nice.

OBITUARY

THE CHARITON LEADER
Chariton, Iowa
Tuesday, December 5, 1961

ALLEN

Ayler J. Allen was born Nov. 24, 1873, the son of Tandy and Joanna Van Nice Allen, on the family farm east of Russell. He passed away at Chariton on Nov. 29, 1961, after a brief illness.

He attended the LaGrange and Russell schools until he was 17 years old, then entered Highland Park college in Des Moines. After two years, he bagan teaching school, first two years at Dickerville country school at a starting salary of $25 per month, then for three terms in Mills county. He returned to college, graduating from Highland Park in August, 1898. He was assistant principal at Fontanelle high school for a year, then returned to farming.

On October 2, 1901, he was married to Mabel Werts, and they celebrated their 60th anniversary this fall. They established their home on his parent's farm. Five children were born of whom Elizabeth, Hubert, Roger and Philip survive, Thurman having died in infancy.

With the exception of ten years on another farm nearer Russell, and two years in Fairfield where he was a partner in a farm supply store, they lived on the home farm which has been in the family since it was homesteaded in 1852, retiring and moving to Russell in 1943.

He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, first of the LaGrange Cumberland Presbyterian church, then of the Russell church. He was always an active and devoted member, superintendant of the Sunday school, a teacher for many years, and an elder of the church for more than 50 years.

He is survived by his wife, four children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Of his 11 brothers and sisters, only one survives, Charles E. Allen of Portland, Oregon.

Funeral services were held at the Russell United Presbyterian church at 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 1, 1961. The Rev. John A. Orange conducted the service, and burial was in Russell cemetery.