ROBERT ALLEN

Robert Allen was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, about eight miles from Zanesville, October 25, 1825. His father, Jacob Allen, a farmer from New Jersey, followed teaming during the war of 1812, and in Ohio followed farming during the summer, and during the winter drove horses east of the mountains. The maiden name of Robert’s mother was Fisher: she died when he was nine years old, and his father then discontinued housekeeping. Mr. Allen, the subject of this sketch, went to Farmington, Van Buren County, Ohio, where he learned the blacksmith’s trade. This he followed, in partnership with another man, and a year later opened a shop in company with his brother Charles. When the California gold fever broke out they started for this State. Leaving Farmington, they attached themselves to a party of forty, crossed the Missouri River May 10, and came by way of Fort Kearney, Fort Hall and the Lassen route, with ox teams. They divided their train into caravansaries of fifteen wagons each at Independence Rock, and Mr. Allen and his brother came on in company with one other man. They struck the Sacramento River at what is now Stanford’s Vina ranch. For the first three weeks they followed mining at Salt Springs, near Shasta; then with teams they came to Sacramento, arriving November 15, 1849. Here the subject of this sketch began teaming. On his first trip he took 1,600 pound, being eleven days on the way. Next he made a trip up to Blue Banks, above Mormon Island, and moved a family to Mud Springs. Returning to Sacramento he turned his cattle out; then rented a bar in the old Kentucky House on J street, between Fifth and Sixth, and ran it until the fall of 1850. Before the water had fully receded he went to Marysville, and thence to Cox’s Bar, where he followed mining during the ensuing summer. In the fall he came down to Sacramento, and attended bar in the old Sutter Hotel on Front street for two months or more, In 1851 he engaged in teaming from here to Nevada, buying goods here and selling them on the streets there. He had a fine four-horse team and two ox teams. This business he followed during the fall and winter of 1851-‘52. Then he was at Shasta for a while, but did no mining there. In two or three weeks he bought an interest in a blacksmith-shop on J street, in Sacramento, in partnership with Mr. Woods; six months afterward he bought out his partner’s interest and conducted the shop alone until the latter part of 1852, when he injured his back and was laid up for two months. Quitting blacksmithing he worked for L. R. Beckley on the Coloma road, at the Monte Cristo Exchange. Then he and Mr. Sullivan entered the grain and feed business on J street, the firm name being Sullivan & Allen. Continuing thus until the spring of 1854 Mr. Allen went to Placer County, to a place called Carlton, this side of Auburn, where they followed merchandising until 1859. Mr. Allen then came to Sacramento and went into a barley speculation, in which he lost, $11,000! In 1861 Mr. Beckley’s place, on which he had a lien for services, fell into his hands. He bought some young cattle and worked with them until 1864, in the meantime engaging to some extent in the cattle trade. June 24, 1862, he married and began keeping house at the Monte Cristo Exchange. From 1863 to 1866 he was employed in the cattle and dairy business in Yolo County. Returning to Sacramento, he engaged in the saloon business, keeping the Norfolk saloon on K street, between Fifth and Sixth, until January, 1868, when he rented the fair-ground for the years 1868-’70. In 1871 he with his family made a visit to the East, the greater part of the year, returning in August. In January, 1872, he rented the fair-ground again, and left it January 1, 1873. He was then engaged in the clothing trade until the latter part of 1877, on J street, between Fifth and Sixth. In 1878 he obtained the fair-grounds for the third time, holding the lease during the years 1878-’80. In 1881 he engaged in contracting for street improvements. From 1883 to 1885 he had the Agricultural Park for the fourth time. Mr. Allen is a Democrat in his politics; is a member of the Pioneer Association of Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M., and also of the Chapter and the Commandery, and is a veteran Odd Fellow. His wife’s maiden name was Catharine Elizabeth Davis; she was born seven miles from Shawneetown, Illinois. November 5, 1844; her father, James A. Davis was a sea-captain, and her mother was formerly Miss Jane O’Neal. After the death of her father she came with her mother across the plains to California, locating in Sacramento, and resided here and at Alder Creek. Her mother died in February, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have two children: Edward P. and Jennie, and another son, Robert, who died at the age of twenty-two months.

Transcribed by Karen Pratt.

Source: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 485-486. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.