Carthage courier. (Carthage, Tenn.) 1913-current, 1919-11-27
MAJOR JOHN d. ALLEN
ENTERS THE BEYOND

Major John d. Allen. gallant Con-
federate soldier, practical farmer, sue
cessful merchant, splendid citizen and
prominent leader in the affairs of his
community, county and common
wealth, succumbing to an attack of
pneumonia, passed away Monday af-
Ternoon at his home in Dixon Springs.
March %, 1885, and November ID.
1873, are dates which mark the boun-
diaries Of time in which this good man
lived and wrought. He was born and
reared in Sumner County, volunteered
for service in the Southern army at
the flrst call and came out at the end
of the struggle between the states
bearing Majors commission as a re-
ward for meritorious conduct.
Major Allen was married to Miss
Clarissa V. Burford November 25,
1858, thus uniting two of the finest
nilies in the state, many of whose
members have written their names in
large letters across the pages OF Ten
nesSee history. He was buried from
the same residence to which he came
81 years ago that day to claim his
Deautiful and happy bride. The love,
SsIznlration and esteem in which he
was held was evidenced by the out
pouring of people of every creed and
color, many from distances, notably
Carthage, Hartsvilie and Gallatin,
who gathered in and about the church
building he had helped to build and
loved, to hear Elder Elan review his
life and work, and admonish the peo-
pie to accept the teachings of God
The remains were laid to rest in the
Dixon Springs cemetery by the side of
his life companion who closed her eyes
in peaceful sleep little more than
five years ago. They are survived by
four ehildren-Miss Ella Allen and
Judge G. w. Allen of Dixon Springs,
Col. John Howard Allen of the u. s.
army, recently returned from over
seas service and now stationed at
Nashville, and Mrs. James G. Stalcup
of Winfield, Ala, and a number of
grand children.
Major Allen was many years
teacher in the Sunday school and an
officer in the congregation of the
Christian church worshiping at Dixon
Springs and was a faithful attendant.
On one occasion Major Allen said that
if the President of the United States
were a guest at his home, when it
came time for church he would invite
the President to go to church and. if
he declined, he would excuse himself
and go on.
Nearly IS years makes a man old
as we count time, but not so with
Major Allen. His associations with
young people, indomitable viii and
cheerful spirit kept him young. As a
comprehensive reader, profound think
er and close observer, he was in close
touch with current events, which
placed him in a position to give wise
counsel to the many who sought his
advice. He performed deeds Of useful
ness and kindness every day OF
his life, and retained his faculties IN
impaired to the last. Fully conscious,
unafraid, surrounded by honorable sons
and Christian daughters, his going
was a complete triumph and his last
words were prayer and praise to God.
He loved the truth and his life was the
very embodiment Of truth. Once
when called on to testify in a law
suit, the litigant on the opposing side
requested that he be not sworn, stat
ing that Major Aliens word was as
good without as with the formal oath.
The narrow limits of a single ar
ticle can not be made to record many
of the facts of the great life Major
Allen lived. He was man of strong
convictions with the courage to assert
himself for the right. His labOrs of
love were recognized and appreciated
by his neighbors by whom he was
dearly loved and highly respected.
Recollections of his pure and unselfish
life will be an incentive to efforts pro-
ductive of undesirable good in years
TO come.
A profusion of most beautiful flow
ers, gifts from his Sunday school class
and many others, worked into mes
sage bearing designs, covers the grave
and points in fragrant silence to the
rich inheritance Major Allen has gone
to possess.