Allen in Hillsdale County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Captain Moses Allen
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013
1. Captain Moses Allen Marker
Inscription.
Captain Moses Allen. . Moses Allen fought in the War of 18 12, later serving as a captain in the Michigan militia. He became the first "white settler" in present-day Hillsdale County, settling here in April 1827, two years after working on the Chicago Road (present-day US-12) survey. The area once known as Allen's Prairie now constitutes the village of Allen. When the Allens built their cabin, their closest neighbor was fifty miles away. Soon, more settlers moved to the prairie. Allen had claimed his tract, but it was not until 1829 that the U.S. government declared the land "ready for sale." That summer, he began building a log tavern, but died in October. His widow completed a tavern that same year along the Chicago Road. The area's first school was built here in 1831. Moses Allen is buried in Allen Township Cemetery.
Moses Allen fought in the War of 1812, later serving as a captain in the Michigan militia. He became the first "white settler" in present-day Hillsdale County, settling here in April 1827, two years after working on the Chicago Road (present-day US-12) survey. The area once known as Allen's Prairie now constitutes the village of Allen. When the Allens built their cabin, their closest neighbor was fifty miles away. Soon, more settlers moved to the prairie. Allen had claimed his tract, but it was not until 1829 that the U.S. government declared the land "ready for sale." That summer, he began building a log tavern, but died in October. His widow completed a tavern that same year along the Chicago Road. The area's first school was built here in 1831. Moses Allen is buried in Allen Township Cemetery.
Erected 1994 by Bureau of Michigan History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1899C.)
Location. 41° 57.393′ N, 84° 46.23′ W. Marker is in
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Allen, Michigan, in Hillsdale County. Marker is on West Chicago Road (U.S. 12) 0.1 miles west of Park Drive, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at the Allen Area Historical Society. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 W Chicago Road, Allen MI 49227, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Moses Allen at Wikipedia. (Submitted on April 13, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013
2. Captain Moses Allen Marker
View to east along W. Chicago Road (US 12)
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013
3. Grave Site of Captain Moses Allen
Located in the northwest corner of the Allen Township Cemetery
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013
4. Headstone of Grave Site of Captain Moses Allen
The tablet on the headstone reads: Placed by Ann Gridley Chapter D.A.R. in honor of Captain Moses Allen who, in 1827, made the first settlement in Hillsdale County
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 833 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.