SYLVANUS ALLEN, retired farmer; was born in Mason Co., Ky., Feb 10,1797; when 8 years of age, he with his parents emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, settling ten miles south of Dayton, on what is now the Dayton and Lebanon pike, where they lived and died, the father, Jeremiah Allen, in the 82d year of his age, and the mother in her 62d year; they were the parents of twelve children, of whom six are now living, our subject being the second; in 1830 he emigrated to Miami Co. and bought his present farm, the southwest quarter of Sec. 1, Brown Township; for this he paid $700, and was soon located thereon where he has since resided; the farm was but little improved when he settled here, contrasting greatly with the well-cultivated fields and substantial buildings of today, which change has been brought about by hard work and industry, and the assistance of his noble family. In the early part of Mr. Allen's life in Miami Co., they had no post office conveniences nearer than Piqua or Urbana, a distance on either side of from twelve to fifteen miles; the mail at that time was carried past his house, on horseback or otherwise; owing to the inconvenience of mail facilities for him and his neighbors, he made application to have an office established at his residence, which was granted, and was a great accommodation, this office being the first one of its kind in Brown Township; he held it for several years until the village of Lena was laid out and a small business established, when he of course was willing to have it moved to a more public place, which was done; in honor of Mr. Allen the office took its name; thus, Mr. Allen has passed through the frontier and pioneer life of Miami Co. In November, 1821, in Montgomery Co., Ohio, he married Miss Hannah Beckhorn, who was born in New Jersey April 11, 1803; by this union they had ten children, of whom seven are now living. Mrs. Allen's death occurred Jan. 31, 1875. Mr. Allen now resides with his son, A. J., who was born May 17, 1846, and June 3, 1873, married Miss Nora Brecount, who was born in this county Jan. 23, 1847; they have one son, Edward H., born June 15,1874.