EDSON K ALLEN BRYDIA DODGE JUDKINS WESTVEER The name of Edson K. ALLEN was well known both in Elgin and Chicago, where as a prominent contractor he was closely identified with building interests, but it was not alone his ability nor his success that entitles him to representation in this volume, but the fact that he was honored by his fellow townsmen as a man of business integrity and as a representative citizen. He was born in Rutland, Vermont on the 19th of May, 1834, and had almost reached the 67th milestone on lifes journey when on the 5th of May, 1901, he passed away. His father, Zenus Allen, also a native of the Green Mountain State, journeyed westward when his son Edson was but 4 yrs of age, settling first in Chicago, where he lived for a brief time, and then in 1839, tookup his abode upon a farm in Hampshire, Illinois. Edson K. ALLEN was reared under the parental roof and in his boyhood days assisted in the work of the farm when no busy with his text books in the effort to aquire a good practical English education as afforded by the public schools. Not desiring to follow agricultural pursuits as a life work, when about 16 or 17 yrs of age, he learned the mason's trade, becoming quite proficient in that line and following the calling for some time or until after his marriage. He then returned to the farm and devoted his energies to the work of cultivating the crops best suited to the soil and climate until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when felling that his supreme duty was to his country, he offered his servises to the Union and on the 4th of Feb. 1863, became a private in the cavalry. he served for a time in Comp. H. of the 10th Illinois and afterward was promoted first sergeant. He continured on the front for 2 yrs, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements and passing thru all of the experiences which are meted out to the soldier. When the war was over, Mr ALLEN returned to his home and family in the north. On the 1st fo Nov. 1855 he had married Miss Mary Jane BRYDIA, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Wison BRYDIA, of Burlington, Ill. They became the parents of a daughter and 2 sons. Nancy Lucretia who iwas the wife of Royal L. DODGE, and died in 1901 at the age of 44 yrs. - William E. who died at the age of 4 yrs, and George E. who married Kate WESTVEER, a daughter of John and Hattie Walters WESTVEER. Mr and Mrs George ALLEN have a daughter hattie M. the wife of Ralph H. JUDKINS of Elgin. Following the close of the war, Mr. ALLEN became well know as a mason, contractor and builder in brick and stone, both in Elgin and Chicago. In addition to the substantial structures which he erected in this city, he built many large buildings in chicago and his son, George E. ALLEN, was associated with him under the firm style of E.K. ALLEN and son. he took a large contract on the Auditorium Hotel in Chicago, was also the builder of the Rosalie Apartments at 57th st. and Lake ave. 17 three story blocks on Berkely Ave in Chicago and 6 stores at the corner of 69th and Wentworth Ave. he also did an immense amount of work for "Buck" McCarthy , a well known alderman of Chicago. He erected an addition to the Sherman House, and was a subcontractor on a number of the World's Fair buildings. He thus became well known as a prominent representative of building operations in the west, the caracter and nature of his operations gaining for him a foremost place as a leading contractor. In politics, Mr ALLEN was a stauch republican, unfaltering in his layalty to the party and its principles, and at one time serving as deputy sheriff of Kane County. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. he stood prominent as a man among men, his pleasant genial manner winning him friends wherever he went, while haughtiness and ostentation found no part in his composition. He was a typical reresentative of the age and the district in which he lived, being an alert enterprising, progressive man, whose death was mourned far beyond his immediate family circle, for he was esteemed and honored wherever he was known,and most of all, where he was best known. History of Kane Co. Ill, 1907, Vol II pg 51 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.