Otto Allen, Notable Pioneer Has Passed Away. Otto Allen, one of the useful and honored pioneers of Marshall county, passed quietly away at his home near Radium early on Sunday morning, April 21, 1912, after a brief illness, aged 76 years, 9 months and 17 days. Deceased was born at Vargarda, Westergotland, Sweden, on July 4, 1836. Left an orphan in early youth he nevertheless managed to get a good education in the schools and by self study. Being endowed by nature with an exceptional talent for music, he was, when but sixteen years old, chosen to lead the singing in the parish church, a position which he held as long as he remained in Sweden. His fondness for children and educational qualifications caused him to enter the teaching profession and for twenty years until his removal to America he served as a teacher in the country schools. On March 7, 1868, Mr. Allen married the wife who survives him. He soon found that the meager yearly salary of 300 crowns, about $75, was wholly inadequate to support a constantly growing family, and like so many others before him had done, he resolved to remove to America to better his conditions. He arrived at Warren in the spring of 1883 followed in the fall by the wife and children. During the summer of that year he found employment in the Warren brick yard which had been started by his nephew, August Lundgren, and helped to turn out the first brick manufactured here.
The following year, 1884, he and family moved onto a farm in town of Comstock, taking up the struggle to acquire a home of their own and suffering all the hardships incident to pioneer life. By industry and good management and the assistance of a sturdy family of boys and girls, he has succeeded in developing a fine farm home which has been added to from time to time until it now comprises 400 acres of highly improved land. Otto Allen was a genial and kindly man, and of the highest integrity. He was honored and respected by all who ever learned to know him. He was a sincere and devout Christian, an active member of the Swedish Mission congregation of the neighborhood. The entire community stands mourning by the grave of the good man and useful citizen, whose life of earth had been well and truly lived and who now has entered his eternal rest. A great comfort to him in his last hours was the presence at his bedside of all his children, who had come to be near him when learning of his first attack of sickness on the Tuesday previous to his death. Their names are: Mrs. Ida Knutson, Park River, N. D.; Carl E. Allen, Warren; Iver E. Allen, Churches Ferry, N. D.; Nathan L. Allen, Warren; Mrs. Augusta Anderson, Warren; John O. Allen, Radium; William A. Allen, who stays on the farm; and an adopted daughter, Emma Agnes Allen.
Many other relatives and friends here and elsewhere mourn the good man’s demise. Among those the following from a distance were present at the funeral: C. J. and Herman Lundquist and Miss Sophia Lindberg, of Minneapolis, Herman Allen, of Alvarado; and Chas. Westerberg, an old friend, from Crookston. The funeral was held from the late home of deceased on Tuesday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. Werner Drotts, of Viking. It was a large funeral, neighbors and friends from near and far being present to show their last respect to their friend who had passed away. The pall bearers were all nephews of deceased, namely: C. J. Lundquist, Herman Lundquist, John Lindberg, Herman Lindberg, August Lundgren and Herman Allen. A large funeral procession followed the remains contained in the profusely flower bedecked coffin from the home to Greenwood cemetery in Warren, where they were tenderly laid to rest. A short service was also held at the grave. All honor to the good and noble pioneer who has passed from us. May his memory always remain green in the hearts of those who learned to know him and to love him. (Warren Sheaf, Thursday, April 25, 1912, Volume XXXII, Number 17, Page 1)