The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1918-10-30
HON. Lem ALLEN ANSWERS
SUMMONS OF GRIN REAPER
For Fifty-Six Years Deeply Interest
ed in the Material Development
OF Nevada

touched the hearts of thousands
throughout the State in a more per-
sonal manner than usually follows
such a message.
Linked as his name was with the
early history of the State of his
adoption and active not only in the
making of its laws but in its mater
ial development he was probably
more intimately known than any
other citizen within its borders and
to him rightly belonged the title of
Nestor of the Democratic party.
OF rugged physique his character
was equally 50 and his prodigal gem
erosity could ever bring ample test
imony from scores who had been the
beneficiaries of his openheartedness.
Although on the border of four
score years his was of that splendid
endowment of nature that gave
promise of many more years of Wig
orous service but his advanced age
was not proof against an operation
for stomach trouble and his passing
followed a very brief illness.
Coming to Nevada from Van Bur-
en- county, Iowa, in 1862 with his
bride of few years, the manner of
his journey was typical Of his cour-
age and faith as the long and dang
erous journey was by OK team, his
worldly possessions being so meager
that he parted with his last two dol
lars for the privilege of crossing the
bridge spanning the slough in the
sink of the Carson river.
In December, 1868, they removed
to the south side of Carson lake and
In company with his father Grams
ton Allen who came west TO join
him, he established station on the
old Pony Express road which he
called "The Wild Cat" and which is
famous in the history of Churchill
county and the early history of Ne
vada. This station was a money
maker and he remained there for
seven years, in the meantime estab-
fishing farming and live stock inter-
ests. and in 1857 he removed to
Reno to live.
Later In the same year the re-
naming members of the family left
their Iowa home forever and Joined
forces with the pioneer and hardy
builders of this State.
Even during the busy period of
broadening his ranch interests he
entered upon the study of law for
which he had always been inclined
and applying himself with his usual
diligence was admitted to the bar in
January, 1873.
Prior to this time and under the
then less stringent laws of the state
he was elected district attorney of
Churchill County, position he held
for three terms.
At the conclusion of his term he
was chosen to represent this county |
in the legislature, this being the |
eighth session of the state legisla-
ture and in 1879 was again elected
district attorney of this county.
His knowledge of affairs of state |
led to his election once more to the |
state legislature in 1889 and he con-
tinued to serve continuously in this
capacity until the session of 1903 |
when he was honored with the Of
flee of lieutenant governor.
During the sessions of 1895, 1897 |
and 1899 he was speaker of the low
er house and in 1908 he was again
the choice of the voters of Churchill |
county for the assembly.
In all he served ten terms in the
assembly.
He took a great interest in horses
and served on the board of agricul-
ture at different times and was al
ways one of the most constructive
men in the State. Since moving to
Reno in 1912, retiring from active
he maintained his interest
in politics and could always be found
at conventions and political meet
ings. where his advice was needed.
Besides his widow, Sarah A. AL
len, with whom he would have soon
celebrated their sixieth wedding an
niversary, three daughters and three
sons survive him. They are Mrs.
Eva M. Proctor, Mrs. Elizabeth Con-
iff, Mary Alien, Hugh Allen, Judson
Allen and l.. l.. Allen. He was born |
In Harrison county, Ohio, on April |
IL, 1889. He was a member of Fal-
lon lodge F. and A. NJ. He was
president of the Nevada State Life
Insurance Company at the time OF
his death.
The funeral services conducted
under the auspices of the Masonic
Lodge of which fraternity he had
been life long member, were held
in the High school auditorium last
Sunday afternoon and the large gath
ering there assembled was represen-
tative of the esteem in which the de-
ceased was held.
Rev Mr.. Bellam who had known
him intimately for many years paid