California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


 PARRIS ALLEN. A native of Dearborn county, Ind., Mr. Allen's birth occurred on August 26, 1852. His 
father, John Allen, was born in New York state and became an early settler of Indiana. Later he 
removed to Ripley county, the same state, where he followed agricultural pursuits. His wife bore the 
maiden name of Mahala Fletcher and lived several years after the death of her husband, her death 
occurring at the home of her daughter, Margaret A. Bewley, of Selma, in November, 1904, at the age 
of seventy-five years. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, four of whom grew 
to maturity. 

Parris Allen was the second child. His education was limited to three months' attendance in the district 
school. Upon leaving home he engaged in farming, continuing at that occupation until 1875, when he 
disposed of his interests in the east and came to California. Locating near Winters, Solano county, he 
secured employment as a farm hand until 1882, when he came to Fresno county and with the money 
that he had saved purchased the ranch on which he has since resided. This consists of one hundred 
and sixty acres, located two miles west of Selma, and is said to be one of the most highly improved 
farms in the San Joaquin valley. Fifty acres are devoted to the growing of grapes, forty is set out in 
orchard and the balance is devoted to alfalfa. 

In Ripley county, Ind., February 12, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Allen and Miss Mary E. 
Mills, who was a native of that county. To them have been born two children : George W. and Susan 
Ethel. 

Mr. Allen is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Masons, and Eastern Star Chapter, to 
which Mrs. Allen also belongs, the Woodmen of the World, Independent Order of Foresters and the 
Knights of the Maccabees. Politically he is a Democrat, but is liberal in his views, and in local issues 
votes for the one whom he considers best qualified for the office.