A. M. Allen Dead
Aaron M. Allen, one of Sparta's oldest citizens and pioneer business men, died at his home on St. Louis street on Friday evening after a lingering illness. Mr. Allen was born on a farm near Preston in this county on Christmas day 1818, and had he lived twenty-one days longer he would have been 85 years of age. When a young man he clerked in Shannon's store, one of the two first stores established in Sparta. In after years he became one of the most substantial and enterprising business men in the city, and for sometime was at the head of Sparta's largest mercantile establishents, that of Allen, Watson & Crawford. With the exception of a few years he conducted a [illegible -- flouring?] mill at Steeleville and a farm in Perry county, he has lived in Sparta from early boyhood, and was prominently connected with the material growth and development of the city. He early in life embraced the Christian religion and at date of death had been a ruling elder in the United Presbyteran church for 50 years. During the latter years of his life misfortunes in business affairs and decline in health forced him to retire from active life, but whether in prosperity or adversity he was always faithful to his religious convictions.
The funeral services were held at 2 p. m. Sunday, conducted by Rev. W. J. Smiley, and was largely attended by the older citizens who had known and respected him for many years. The interment was at Union cemetery, beside his wife who preceded him to the grave several years ago. He leaves surviving eight children, five daughters and three sons, Mrs. Rev. John H. Bratton, of Oklahoma, Mrs. Fred L. Alles, Mrs. L. E. St. John and Samuel Allen of of California, Mrs. S. J. Strickler, of Salina, Kan., Miss Winnie Allen, the faithful companion of her father for the past several years, and Henry Allen of this city. Mr. Wm. Allen and family attended the funeral.
Sparta Plaindealer, December 11, 1903