The National tribune., 1901-01-10
RELIEF CORPS OLDEST MEMBER.
Sketch of Grandma Maria Allen, of Elyria
Ohio.

I.DIToR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Grandma
Maria Allen, of Elyria, o., enjoys the distinc-
ton of being the oldest member Of the
Woman's Relief Corps. She recently ceie
brated the 99th anniversary at the residence
of her son-in-law, j. E. BOynton.
The day was n perfect one and with II
came beautiful flowers and many presents
from friends at home and abroad. The
house was prettiy decorated with potted
plants and the National colors. Her daugh'
surrounded her chair, while her many friends
brought greetings of the day.
About 80 ladies' Of Corps los, Of which
she is charter member, came together to
congratulate her. Mrs. Ella Il. Smith, Corps
President, in behalf of that organization,
presented TO her n handsome silver spoon;
and at Il signal from the President each
member approached and presented as per
sonal token of love and esteem a flower tied
to card with red, white and blue ribbon; re-
sembling very much 4 hugh bed Of flowers.
Mrs. Faustina Rawson then read letter
from the Department President, Miss II.
MaxOn, and in behalf OF her and her asso-
Ciate officers presented a solid gold recOgni-
ton pin. Mrs. Harmon and Mrs. Coles. OF
Oberlin, brought greetings of Henry Lin
coin Corps and presented a handsome plate.
Refreshments were served, and to each one
was presented n souvenir badge of white
satin ribbon bearing the year OF her birth
and the emblem of the w. X. G.. Her
friends continued TO come in till quite late
in the evening. When the last guest departed,
Grandma retired not at all fatlgued by the
ordeal of having received 10 callers.
Mrs. Maria Allen, daughter of Capt. John
Lowndes and Anna Tice Lowndes, was born
in POmpton Township, Bergen County, n. j.,
of the ship Rising Sun" of New York, was
murdered in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1909 Her
mother died In 1910 in New York City, and
was buried In st. Paul's Church-yard.
Maria Lowndes stayed with her grand
father, Capt. William Lowndes, who lived on
William street, near Pearl, until the death Of
her mother, after which she went to live
with her grandmother Tice in POmptOn, N j.
Oct. 20. 1923, Maria LOwndes married
Thomas ]. Alien, blacksmith, also of
Pompton. Oct. 20, 1892, the Allen family,
consisting of father, mother and five little
boys, left their New Jersey home and started
westward bound for Bucyrus, Crawford Co.,
o. Their conveyance was Il twO-hOrse lum-
Der wagon without springs. After having
encountered two violent snow storms they
finally arrived at their destination Nov 20
Failing to secure work there, Mr.. Allen came
TO Elyrla to look for work, and being sue
cessful stayed here nearly all Winter. In the
Spring of 1853 they moved to Elyria, which
has been her home ever since.
OF the five boys every one went to sea
and all doubled Cape Horn. William, the
Oldest son., seved on the frigates Savannah
and Ohio during the Mexican war, also as
Quartermaster on the L. 5. :. S Fort Jack
son during the rebellion.
: Capt. Richard Allen, Co. J. Sth Ohio. who
organized the second company Of volunteers
here and was one Of the first to enlist, was
wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg
Dec. IL, 1862, died at Douglas hospital,
Washington, Jan. Il, 1863.
James Allen served his country three years
as Lieutenant OF Co. ii, 1921 Ohio
Mrs. Allen was an ardent worker during
the war, always ready with lint, bandages,
bedding, jellies and wine, and every comfort
Tor the boys who stood by the flag and up
held the Union.
Grandma remembers well the War Of 1912,
and how they drummed up volunteers around
that section Of New Jersey to 90 to Canada
for frontier work. She remembers crossing
the river from Jersey city TO New York In
row boats, then in ferry boats, In boats pro-
PEELED by horses. and the steamboats, She
remembers the building of the City Hall in
New York. and can say what very few can
say, that she played in the shayings while
the building was In progress.
Or her seven children. five bows and two
living. "ie
Grandfather Allen died Nov "a 1883. Mt
the age. of eightysix years. Grandma Is en-
Toying fairly good health. and has retained
her faculties to surprising degree. Her
memory deals with the past rather than with
the present, relating, to the intense amuse-
ment of hearers, "reminiscences of her child
hood days.-ELLA II. SMITH, President
Corps 10s, Elyria, o.