Born in Fort Harmony, Iron, Utah.
Children missing from this memorial:
Sarah Jeanette Allen Jenkins 1887-1965
Lillian Allen Peterson 1889-1980
Leda Allen Ferguson 1896-1980
Life Story
by his daughter Leda Ferguson in 1933.
There's a remnant of a rock foundation. There's a slight indication of an old well. That's all that remains of Old Fort Harmony where Rufus was born, Oct. 12, 1856. It is situated among the sagebush, scrub cedars and pinion pines about six miles southwest of Kanarrah, Utah. It was built by the Mormon settlers as a protection against Indians.
Rufus was one year old when his parents moved to Ogden. It was there that his sisters, Mary Lavenia and Rachel were born. Mary Lavenia died at eight years of age.
He was five years old when he started school. The following year his family moved to Dixie. They resided at Little Cottonwood. It was here that Rufus had an impressive dream, and although he was only six years old he never forgot the details. He dreamed the Latter Day Saints were being tested as to their faith in the gospel. Each individual was compelled to sit on a flat hot rock. Those who could endure the heat were considered worthy. Brother Laney of Harrisburg was a friend of his father. He was the only one who could not stand the heat.
Twenty-four years later Rufus related his dream to Brother Haywood of Panguitch. He told Rufus Brother Laney had apostatized from the church.
The family moved to Laverkin. They were forced to endure great hardships. They lived in a bush shanty and it was so cold that a fire was kept burning day and night. Rufus slept on the floor with a sheep's skin under him and his mother's limited clothing over him. Their clothes were made by his mother from crude cloth that she made by carding, spinning and weaving the wool, which they gathered from wire fences. Their food consisted largely of nuts taken from the nests of squirrels. These were bitter days for his mother, Lavenia Hoops Yearsley because she had seen better ones. Her father had been a prosperous merchant in the East. Her family sacrificed all they had to embrace the Mormon Church.
When they moved to Mountain Dell a very strange event occurred, which greatly influenced Rufus' life giving him the assurance that there is a supreme power that is capable of protecting life. He was eight years old at the time.
Being unafraid, he was walking on a hazardous trail. Tall cliffs were above him, taller cliffs below. He knocked his shoulder on a projecting rock and fell. Everything that had happened in his life flashed through his mind as he was falling. The next thing he knew, he was back on the trail perfectly safe. Some unseen power had lifted him up.
The final move for the family was to Kanarah where Rufus lived until after his marriage.
Rufus attended the University of Utah when he was twenty. He had the distinction of being in the first graduating class at the institution. In the interest of education each county was permitted to send one representative to the State University. The student's tuition was paid after which the honored student was expected to teach school at least for one year. The year following his graduation Rufus taught all the "Readers" as they called it.
One of his most brilliant students was pretty, bashful and extremely correct Sarah Ann Berry. One day Sarah Ann, Rachel (Rufus' sister) and Amelia Berry were asked to stay after school to complete a certain project. So great was their laughter over an episode they witnessed out the window that it required stern discipline. So he locked them in the school house and did not return for some time.
Rufus was athletically inclined and found his greatest pleasure in playing ball. Of course riding in the wagon sleigh or horse back couldn't be neglected because girl friends had to be entertained. Friendships with Elizabeth Ann Davis and Jane Young were brief because pretty Sarah Ann Berry ("Sadie" they called her) won his heart when he was eighteen. He courted her for four years before she became his bride. After their marriage Rufus and Sadie moved to Kingston, Utah where they lived for 43 years.
He used great tact in helping to rear their nine children, always disciplining with kindness. Not one child ever saw him angry. He was always ambitious, sleeping few hours, working many. He ate his breakfast and supper by the light of a coil oil lamp.
He along with Sarah were able to give their children a high school and for some a college education.
There was no family in the community with a better home. Their means of transportation was always of the finest quality whether it by wagon, buggy, or car. There were two Chalmers, a Dodge, and a Roosevelt. They received the utmost care, the same care that his horses received before the "car age."
His advice and judgement was always appreciated by his children and grandchildren. They will always remember his slogans: "Tell the truth if it takes every hair out of your head." "Protect your virtue with your life if necessary." "Do good for evil." "A Dollar saved is a dollar earned." "Don't pick even a pin on a neighbors premises." "Never command and you will never be disobeyed."
"Tis a July evening in 1933. Daddy and I are sitting near the water's edge of the beautiful Provo River. These precious moments are fleeting away much too quickly.
Although 76 years of age, he appears much younger. He smiles easily, speaks softly, and radiates a strong but pleasing personality. Just One in a Million—That's my Dad.
Rufus preceded his beloved Sadie in death by three years.
A Description of the life of Rufus Albern Allen, Sr.
from Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah, Vol. 4, p. 414
The son of Rufus Chester Allen and his wife Lavenia H. Yearsley, he was born at Old Harmony, Washington County, Utah, in the year 1856. His father was a High Councilor of the Stake. A year later his parents moved to Pinto Creek, and later to the city of Ogden, where at four years of age the boy began going to school. His school days, however, were of short duration. In 1861 he went with his parents to an unsettled part of Washington County, called Cottonwood Creek, there to reside; and in 1862 the family moved to a ranch on Laverkin Creek, in the same County. The fall of the ensuing year saw them on North Creek, near Virgen City, where Rufus was baptized a Latter-day Saint. In 1866, owing to the depredations of the Piute and Navajo Indians, the Allens settled in Kanarra. At the age of thirteen the lad shouldered his musket and stood guard night and day during the troubles of those times. As a boy he experienced the life of a pioneer, and as a growing youth many of its hardships and vicissitudes.
When the United Order was organized in 1874, young Allen was one of its members. He labored upon a farm, under the auspices of that organization, and never regretted his experience therein. Hurt by a runaway accident in 1875, he was temporarily disabled for farm work, and after being bed-ridden for two months, as soon as strong enough he was sent to the University of Deseret. He finished a year's course as a normal student, at Salt Lake City, never missing an hour of school, and never failing in preparation. This was the close of his school life. Shortly after returning home, in the fall of 1877, he was called to work on the Manti Temple, and labored there about three months.
In the spring of 1878 Rufus and his brother, C. W. Allen, settled on the Sevier River, at Junction, where they tilled the soil and in other ways prepared permanent places of residence. On June 18, 1879, he married Miss Sarah Ann Higgins, of Kanarra, the ceremony taking place in the St. George Temple. His career as a public official began in August, 1880, when he was elected assessor and collector of Piute County. After serving three years in that capacity he was chosen probate judge. He knew comparatively nothing of the new duties devolving upon him, but by hard study became acquainted with the requirements of the position, and filled it to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was probate judge for seven years, and was then re-elected assessor and collector. At the end of a four years term he was chosen to represent his district in the Constitutional Convention. His first experience in the Bishopric was as counselor to Bishop William King, from 1883 to 1887. He then succeeded Bishop King, and is the present Bishop of Kingston, in Panguitch Stake.
Numbered among the members of the Constitutional Convention of 1895 was Hon. Rufus A. Allen, now of Kingston, Piute County, a native son of the Territory which he helped to invest with Statehood. He had been probate judge prior to being sent to the Convention, and was the Bishop of his Ward at the time of his election. In addition to much clerical and judicial work, the former as assessor and collector, he has followed more or less continuously the avocation of a farmer, leading a life of steadiness and sobriety.
Rufus and Sarah Allen Home in Kingston Utah. Picture taken in 2002 with grand daughter Sarah Utahna Luke Butler standing in front.
Additional interesting facts and photos.
Rufus was active in political civic affairs. He was county assessor, collector, probate judge and county treasurer. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1865 helping to frame the constitution for the state of Utah. His name appears on the plaque in the foyer of the Utah State Capital building designating Utah as a state.
Proposition on composition of the two houses of the Utah legislature in Rufus' handwriting.
Rufus owned and operated a store across from the family home in Kingston for 33 years. Picture taken in 2002.
He was always very active in religious affairs. He served as a Bishop of the Kingston Ward for 33 years.
Children missing from this memorial:
Sarah Jeanette Allen Jenkins 1887-1965
Lillian Allen Peterson 1889-1980
Leda Allen Ferguson 1896-1980
Life Story
by his daughter Leda Ferguson in 1933.
There's a remnant of a rock foundation. There's a slight indication of an old well. That's all that remains of Old Fort Harmony where Rufus was born, Oct. 12, 1856. It is situated among the sagebush, scrub cedars and pinion pines about six miles southwest of Kanarrah, Utah. It was built by the Mormon settlers as a protection against Indians.
Rufus was one year old when his parents moved to Ogden. It was there that his sisters, Mary Lavenia and Rachel were born. Mary Lavenia died at eight years of age.
He was five years old when he started school. The following year his family moved to Dixie. They resided at Little Cottonwood. It was here that Rufus had an impressive dream, and although he was only six years old he never forgot the details. He dreamed the Latter Day Saints were being tested as to their faith in the gospel. Each individual was compelled to sit on a flat hot rock. Those who could endure the heat were considered worthy. Brother Laney of Harrisburg was a friend of his father. He was the only one who could not stand the heat.
Twenty-four years later Rufus related his dream to Brother Haywood of Panguitch. He told Rufus Brother Laney had apostatized from the church.
The family moved to Laverkin. They were forced to endure great hardships. They lived in a bush shanty and it was so cold that a fire was kept burning day and night. Rufus slept on the floor with a sheep's skin under him and his mother's limited clothing over him. Their clothes were made by his mother from crude cloth that she made by carding, spinning and weaving the wool, which they gathered from wire fences. Their food consisted largely of nuts taken from the nests of squirrels. These were bitter days for his mother, Lavenia Hoops Yearsley because she had seen better ones. Her father had been a prosperous merchant in the East. Her family sacrificed all they had to embrace the Mormon Church.
When they moved to Mountain Dell a very strange event occurred, which greatly influenced Rufus' life giving him the assurance that there is a supreme power that is capable of protecting life. He was eight years old at the time.
Being unafraid, he was walking on a hazardous trail. Tall cliffs were above him, taller cliffs below. He knocked his shoulder on a projecting rock and fell. Everything that had happened in his life flashed through his mind as he was falling. The next thing he knew, he was back on the trail perfectly safe. Some unseen power had lifted him up.
The final move for the family was to Kanarah where Rufus lived until after his marriage.
Rufus attended the University of Utah when he was twenty. He had the distinction of being in the first graduating class at the institution. In the interest of education each county was permitted to send one representative to the State University. The student's tuition was paid after which the honored student was expected to teach school at least for one year. The year following his graduation Rufus taught all the "Readers" as they called it.
One of his most brilliant students was pretty, bashful and extremely correct Sarah Ann Berry. One day Sarah Ann, Rachel (Rufus' sister) and Amelia Berry were asked to stay after school to complete a certain project. So great was their laughter over an episode they witnessed out the window that it required stern discipline. So he locked them in the school house and did not return for some time.
Rufus was athletically inclined and found his greatest pleasure in playing ball. Of course riding in the wagon sleigh or horse back couldn't be neglected because girl friends had to be entertained. Friendships with Elizabeth Ann Davis and Jane Young were brief because pretty Sarah Ann Berry ("Sadie" they called her) won his heart when he was eighteen. He courted her for four years before she became his bride. After their marriage Rufus and Sadie moved to Kingston, Utah where they lived for 43 years.
He used great tact in helping to rear their nine children, always disciplining with kindness. Not one child ever saw him angry. He was always ambitious, sleeping few hours, working many. He ate his breakfast and supper by the light of a coil oil lamp.
He along with Sarah were able to give their children a high school and for some a college education.
There was no family in the community with a better home. Their means of transportation was always of the finest quality whether it by wagon, buggy, or car. There were two Chalmers, a Dodge, and a Roosevelt. They received the utmost care, the same care that his horses received before the "car age."
His advice and judgement was always appreciated by his children and grandchildren. They will always remember his slogans: "Tell the truth if it takes every hair out of your head." "Protect your virtue with your life if necessary." "Do good for evil." "A Dollar saved is a dollar earned." "Don't pick even a pin on a neighbors premises." "Never command and you will never be disobeyed."
"Tis a July evening in 1933. Daddy and I are sitting near the water's edge of the beautiful Provo River. These precious moments are fleeting away much too quickly.
Although 76 years of age, he appears much younger. He smiles easily, speaks softly, and radiates a strong but pleasing personality. Just One in a Million—That's my Dad.
Rufus preceded his beloved Sadie in death by three years.
A Description of the life of Rufus Albern Allen, Sr.
from Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah, Vol. 4, p. 414
The son of Rufus Chester Allen and his wife Lavenia H. Yearsley, he was born at Old Harmony, Washington County, Utah, in the year 1856. His father was a High Councilor of the Stake. A year later his parents moved to Pinto Creek, and later to the city of Ogden, where at four years of age the boy began going to school. His school days, however, were of short duration. In 1861 he went with his parents to an unsettled part of Washington County, called Cottonwood Creek, there to reside; and in 1862 the family moved to a ranch on Laverkin Creek, in the same County. The fall of the ensuing year saw them on North Creek, near Virgen City, where Rufus was baptized a Latter-day Saint. In 1866, owing to the depredations of the Piute and Navajo Indians, the Allens settled in Kanarra. At the age of thirteen the lad shouldered his musket and stood guard night and day during the troubles of those times. As a boy he experienced the life of a pioneer, and as a growing youth many of its hardships and vicissitudes.
When the United Order was organized in 1874, young Allen was one of its members. He labored upon a farm, under the auspices of that organization, and never regretted his experience therein. Hurt by a runaway accident in 1875, he was temporarily disabled for farm work, and after being bed-ridden for two months, as soon as strong enough he was sent to the University of Deseret. He finished a year's course as a normal student, at Salt Lake City, never missing an hour of school, and never failing in preparation. This was the close of his school life. Shortly after returning home, in the fall of 1877, he was called to work on the Manti Temple, and labored there about three months.
In the spring of 1878 Rufus and his brother, C. W. Allen, settled on the Sevier River, at Junction, where they tilled the soil and in other ways prepared permanent places of residence. On June 18, 1879, he married Miss Sarah Ann Higgins, of Kanarra, the ceremony taking place in the St. George Temple. His career as a public official began in August, 1880, when he was elected assessor and collector of Piute County. After serving three years in that capacity he was chosen probate judge. He knew comparatively nothing of the new duties devolving upon him, but by hard study became acquainted with the requirements of the position, and filled it to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was probate judge for seven years, and was then re-elected assessor and collector. At the end of a four years term he was chosen to represent his district in the Constitutional Convention. His first experience in the Bishopric was as counselor to Bishop William King, from 1883 to 1887. He then succeeded Bishop King, and is the present Bishop of Kingston, in Panguitch Stake.
Numbered among the members of the Constitutional Convention of 1895 was Hon. Rufus A. Allen, now of Kingston, Piute County, a native son of the Territory which he helped to invest with Statehood. He had been probate judge prior to being sent to the Convention, and was the Bishop of his Ward at the time of his election. In addition to much clerical and judicial work, the former as assessor and collector, he has followed more or less continuously the avocation of a farmer, leading a life of steadiness and sobriety.
Rufus and Sarah Allen Home in Kingston Utah. Picture taken in 2002 with grand daughter Sarah Utahna Luke Butler standing in front.
Additional interesting facts and photos.
Rufus was active in political civic affairs. He was county assessor, collector, probate judge and county treasurer. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1865 helping to frame the constitution for the state of Utah. His name appears on the plaque in the foyer of the Utah State Capital building designating Utah as a state.
Proposition on composition of the two houses of the Utah legislature in Rufus' handwriting.
Rufus owned and operated a store across from the family home in Kingston for 33 years. Picture taken in 2002.
He was always very active in religious affairs. He served as a Bishop of the Kingston Ward for 33 years.
Born in Fort Harmony, Iron, Utah.
Children missing from this memorial:
Sarah Jeanette Allen Jenkins 1887-1965
Lillian Allen Peterson 1889-1980
Leda Allen Ferguson 1896-1980
Life Story
by his daughter Leda Ferguson in 1933.
There's a remnant of a rock foundation. There's a slight indication of an old well. That's all that remains of Old Fort Harmony where Rufus was born, Oct. 12, 1856. It is situated among the sagebush, scrub cedars and pinion pines about six miles southwest of Kanarrah, Utah. It was built by the Mormon settlers as a protection against Indians.
Rufus was one year old when his parents moved to Ogden. It was there that his sisters, Mary Lavenia and Rachel were born. Mary Lavenia died at eight years of age.
He was five years old when he started school. The following year his family moved to Dixie. They resided at Little Cottonwood. It was here that Rufus had an impressive dream, and although he was only six years old he never forgot the details. He dreamed the Latter Day Saints were being tested as to their faith in the gospel. Each individual was compelled to sit on a flat hot rock. Those who could endure the heat were considered worthy. Brother Laney of Harrisburg was a friend of his father. He was the only one who could not stand the heat.
Twenty-four years later Rufus related his dream to Brother Haywood of Panguitch. He told Rufus Brother Laney had apostatized from the church.
The family moved to Laverkin. They were forced to endure great hardships. They lived in a bush shanty and it was so cold that a fire was kept burning day and night. Rufus slept on the floor with a sheep's skin under him and his mother's limited clothing over him. Their clothes were made by his mother from crude cloth that she made by carding, spinning and weaving the wool, which they gathered from wire fences. Their food consisted largely of nuts taken from the nests of squirrels. These were bitter days for his mother, Lavenia Hoops Yearsley because she had seen better ones. Her father had been a prosperous merchant in the East. Her family sacrificed all they had to embrace the Mormon Church.
When they moved to Mountain Dell a very strange event occurred, which greatly influenced Rufus' life giving him the assurance that there is a supreme power that is capable of protecting life. He was eight years old at the time.
Being unafraid, he was walking on a hazardous trail. Tall cliffs were above him, taller cliffs below. He knocked his shoulder on a projecting rock and fell. Everything that had happened in his life flashed through his mind as he was falling. The next thing he knew, he was back on the trail perfectly safe. Some unseen power had lifted him up.
The final move for the family was to Kanarah where Rufus lived until after his marriage.
Rufus attended the University of Utah when he was twenty. He had the distinction of being in the first graduating class at the institution. In the interest of education each county was permitted to send one representative to the State University. The student's tuition was paid after which the honored student was expected to teach school at least for one year. The year following his graduation Rufus taught all the "Readers" as they called it.
One of his most brilliant students was pretty, bashful and extremely correct Sarah Ann Berry. One day Sarah Ann, Rachel (Rufus' sister) and Amelia Berry were asked to stay after school to complete a certain project. So great was their laughter over an episode they witnessed out the window that it required stern discipline. So he locked them in the school house and did not return for some time.
Rufus was athletically inclined and found his greatest pleasure in playing ball. Of course riding in the wagon sleigh or horse back couldn't be neglected because girl friends had to be entertained. Friendships with Elizabeth Ann Davis and Jane Young were brief because pretty Sarah Ann Berry ("Sadie" they called her) won his heart when he was eighteen. He courted her for four years before she became his bride. After their marriage Rufus and Sadie moved to Kingston, Utah where they lived for 43 years.
He used great tact in helping to rear their nine children, always disciplining with kindness. Not one child ever saw him angry. He was always ambitious, sleeping few hours, working many. He ate his breakfast and supper by the light of a coil oil lamp.
He along with Sarah were able to give their children a high school and for some a college education.
There was no family in the community with a better home. Their means of transportation was always of the finest quality whether it by wagon, buggy, or car. There were two Chalmers, a Dodge, and a Roosevelt. They received the utmost care, the same care that his horses received before the "car age."
His advice and judgement was always appreciated by his children and grandchildren. They will always remember his slogans: "Tell the truth if it takes every hair out of your head." "Protect your virtue with your life if necessary." "Do good for evil." "A Dollar saved is a dollar earned." "Don't pick even a pin on a neighbors premises." "Never command and you will never be disobeyed."
"Tis a July evening in 1933. Daddy and I are sitting near the water's edge of the beautiful Provo River. These precious moments are fleeting away much too quickly.
Although 76 years of age, he appears much younger. He smiles easily, speaks softly, and radiates a strong but pleasing personality. Just One in a Million—That's my Dad.
Rufus preceded his beloved Sadie in death by three years.
A Description of the life of Rufus Albern Allen, Sr.
from Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah, Vol. 4, p. 414
The son of Rufus Chester Allen and his wife Lavenia H. Yearsley, he was born at Old Harmony, Washington County, Utah, in the year 1856. His father was a High Councilor of the Stake. A year later his parents moved to Pinto Creek, and later to the city of Ogden, where at four years of age the boy began going to school. His school days, however, were of short duration. In 1861 he went with his parents to an unsettled part of Washington County, called Cottonwood Creek, there to reside; and in 1862 the family moved to a ranch on Laverkin Creek, in the same County. The fall of the ensuing year saw them on North Creek, near Virgen City, where Rufus was baptized a Latter-day Saint. In 1866, owing to the depredations of the Piute and Navajo Indians, the Allens settled in Kanarra. At the age of thirteen the lad shouldered his musket and stood guard night and day during the troubles of those times. As a boy he experienced the life of a pioneer, and as a growing youth many of its hardships and vicissitudes.
When the United Order was organized in 1874, young Allen was one of its members. He labored upon a farm, under the auspices of that organization, and never regretted his experience therein. Hurt by a runaway accident in 1875, he was temporarily disabled for farm work, and after being bed-ridden for two months, as soon as strong enough he was sent to the University of Deseret. He finished a year's course as a normal student, at Salt Lake City, never missing an hour of school, and never failing in preparation. This was the close of his school life. Shortly after returning home, in the fall of 1877, he was called to work on the Manti Temple, and labored there about three months.
In the spring of 1878 Rufus and his brother, C. W. Allen, settled on the Sevier River, at Junction, where they tilled the soil and in other ways prepared permanent places of residence. On June 18, 1879, he married Miss Sarah Ann Higgins, of Kanarra, the ceremony taking place in the St. George Temple. His career as a public official began in August, 1880, when he was elected assessor and collector of Piute County. After serving three years in that capacity he was chosen probate judge. He knew comparatively nothing of the new duties devolving upon him, but by hard study became acquainted with the requirements of the position, and filled it to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was probate judge for seven years, and was then re-elected assessor and collector. At the end of a four years term he was chosen to represent his district in the Constitutional Convention. His first experience in the Bishopric was as counselor to Bishop William King, from 1883 to 1887. He then succeeded Bishop King, and is the present Bishop of Kingston, in Panguitch Stake.
Numbered among the members of the Constitutional Convention of 1895 was Hon. Rufus A. Allen, now of Kingston, Piute County, a native son of the Territory which he helped to invest with Statehood. He had been probate judge prior to being sent to the Convention, and was the Bishop of his Ward at the time of his election. In addition to much clerical and judicial work, the former as assessor and collector, he has followed more or less continuously the avocation of a farmer, leading a life of steadiness and sobriety.
Rufus and Sarah Allen Home in Kingston Utah. Picture taken in 2002 with grand daughter Sarah Utahna Luke Butler standing in front.
Additional interesting facts and photos.
Rufus was active in political civic affairs. He was county assessor, collector, probate judge and county treasurer. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1865 helping to frame the constitution for the state of Utah. His name appears on the plaque in the foyer of the Utah State Capital building designating Utah as a state.
Proposition on composition of the two houses of the Utah legislature in Rufus' handwriting.
Rufus owned and operated a store across from the family home in Kingston for 33 years. Picture taken in 2002.
He was always very active in religious affairs. He served as a Bishop of the Kingston Ward for 33 years.
Children missing from this memorial:
Sarah Jeanette Allen Jenkins 1887-1965
Lillian Allen Peterson 1889-1980
Leda Allen Ferguson 1896-1980
Life Story
by his daughter Leda Ferguson in 1933.
There's a remnant of a rock foundation. There's a slight indication of an old well. That's all that remains of Old Fort Harmony where Rufus was born, Oct. 12, 1856. It is situated among the sagebush, scrub cedars and pinion pines about six miles southwest of Kanarrah, Utah. It was built by the Mormon settlers as a protection against Indians.
Rufus was one year old when his parents moved to Ogden. It was there that his sisters, Mary Lavenia and Rachel were born. Mary Lavenia died at eight years of age.
He was five years old when he started school. The following year his family moved to Dixie. They resided at Little Cottonwood. It was here that Rufus had an impressive dream, and although he was only six years old he never forgot the details. He dreamed the Latter Day Saints were being tested as to their faith in the gospel. Each individual was compelled to sit on a flat hot rock. Those who could endure the heat were considered worthy. Brother Laney of Harrisburg was a friend of his father. He was the only one who could not stand the heat.
Twenty-four years later Rufus related his dream to Brother Haywood of Panguitch. He told Rufus Brother Laney had apostatized from the church.
The family moved to Laverkin. They were forced to endure great hardships. They lived in a bush shanty and it was so cold that a fire was kept burning day and night. Rufus slept on the floor with a sheep's skin under him and his mother's limited clothing over him. Their clothes were made by his mother from crude cloth that she made by carding, spinning and weaving the wool, which they gathered from wire fences. Their food consisted largely of nuts taken from the nests of squirrels. These were bitter days for his mother, Lavenia Hoops Yearsley because she had seen better ones. Her father had been a prosperous merchant in the East. Her family sacrificed all they had to embrace the Mormon Church.
When they moved to Mountain Dell a very strange event occurred, which greatly influenced Rufus' life giving him the assurance that there is a supreme power that is capable of protecting life. He was eight years old at the time.
Being unafraid, he was walking on a hazardous trail. Tall cliffs were above him, taller cliffs below. He knocked his shoulder on a projecting rock and fell. Everything that had happened in his life flashed through his mind as he was falling. The next thing he knew, he was back on the trail perfectly safe. Some unseen power had lifted him up.
The final move for the family was to Kanarah where Rufus lived until after his marriage.
Rufus attended the University of Utah when he was twenty. He had the distinction of being in the first graduating class at the institution. In the interest of education each county was permitted to send one representative to the State University. The student's tuition was paid after which the honored student was expected to teach school at least for one year. The year following his graduation Rufus taught all the "Readers" as they called it.
One of his most brilliant students was pretty, bashful and extremely correct Sarah Ann Berry. One day Sarah Ann, Rachel (Rufus' sister) and Amelia Berry were asked to stay after school to complete a certain project. So great was their laughter over an episode they witnessed out the window that it required stern discipline. So he locked them in the school house and did not return for some time.
Rufus was athletically inclined and found his greatest pleasure in playing ball. Of course riding in the wagon sleigh or horse back couldn't be neglected because girl friends had to be entertained. Friendships with Elizabeth Ann Davis and Jane Young were brief because pretty Sarah Ann Berry ("Sadie" they called her) won his heart when he was eighteen. He courted her for four years before she became his bride. After their marriage Rufus and Sadie moved to Kingston, Utah where they lived for 43 years.
He used great tact in helping to rear their nine children, always disciplining with kindness. Not one child ever saw him angry. He was always ambitious, sleeping few hours, working many. He ate his breakfast and supper by the light of a coil oil lamp.
He along with Sarah were able to give their children a high school and for some a college education.
There was no family in the community with a better home. Their means of transportation was always of the finest quality whether it by wagon, buggy, or car. There were two Chalmers, a Dodge, and a Roosevelt. They received the utmost care, the same care that his horses received before the "car age."
His advice and judgement was always appreciated by his children and grandchildren. They will always remember his slogans: "Tell the truth if it takes every hair out of your head." "Protect your virtue with your life if necessary." "Do good for evil." "A Dollar saved is a dollar earned." "Don't pick even a pin on a neighbors premises." "Never command and you will never be disobeyed."
"Tis a July evening in 1933. Daddy and I are sitting near the water's edge of the beautiful Provo River. These precious moments are fleeting away much too quickly.
Although 76 years of age, he appears much younger. He smiles easily, speaks softly, and radiates a strong but pleasing personality. Just One in a Million—That's my Dad.
Rufus preceded his beloved Sadie in death by three years.
A Description of the life of Rufus Albern Allen, Sr.
from Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah, Vol. 4, p. 414
The son of Rufus Chester Allen and his wife Lavenia H. Yearsley, he was born at Old Harmony, Washington County, Utah, in the year 1856. His father was a High Councilor of the Stake. A year later his parents moved to Pinto Creek, and later to the city of Ogden, where at four years of age the boy began going to school. His school days, however, were of short duration. In 1861 he went with his parents to an unsettled part of Washington County, called Cottonwood Creek, there to reside; and in 1862 the family moved to a ranch on Laverkin Creek, in the same County. The fall of the ensuing year saw them on North Creek, near Virgen City, where Rufus was baptized a Latter-day Saint. In 1866, owing to the depredations of the Piute and Navajo Indians, the Allens settled in Kanarra. At the age of thirteen the lad shouldered his musket and stood guard night and day during the troubles of those times. As a boy he experienced the life of a pioneer, and as a growing youth many of its hardships and vicissitudes.
When the United Order was organized in 1874, young Allen was one of its members. He labored upon a farm, under the auspices of that organization, and never regretted his experience therein. Hurt by a runaway accident in 1875, he was temporarily disabled for farm work, and after being bed-ridden for two months, as soon as strong enough he was sent to the University of Deseret. He finished a year's course as a normal student, at Salt Lake City, never missing an hour of school, and never failing in preparation. This was the close of his school life. Shortly after returning home, in the fall of 1877, he was called to work on the Manti Temple, and labored there about three months.
In the spring of 1878 Rufus and his brother, C. W. Allen, settled on the Sevier River, at Junction, where they tilled the soil and in other ways prepared permanent places of residence. On June 18, 1879, he married Miss Sarah Ann Higgins, of Kanarra, the ceremony taking place in the St. George Temple. His career as a public official began in August, 1880, when he was elected assessor and collector of Piute County. After serving three years in that capacity he was chosen probate judge. He knew comparatively nothing of the new duties devolving upon him, but by hard study became acquainted with the requirements of the position, and filled it to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was probate judge for seven years, and was then re-elected assessor and collector. At the end of a four years term he was chosen to represent his district in the Constitutional Convention. His first experience in the Bishopric was as counselor to Bishop William King, from 1883 to 1887. He then succeeded Bishop King, and is the present Bishop of Kingston, in Panguitch Stake.
Numbered among the members of the Constitutional Convention of 1895 was Hon. Rufus A. Allen, now of Kingston, Piute County, a native son of the Territory which he helped to invest with Statehood. He had been probate judge prior to being sent to the Convention, and was the Bishop of his Ward at the time of his election. In addition to much clerical and judicial work, the former as assessor and collector, he has followed more or less continuously the avocation of a farmer, leading a life of steadiness and sobriety.
Rufus and Sarah Allen Home in Kingston Utah. Picture taken in 2002 with grand daughter Sarah Utahna Luke Butler standing in front.
Additional interesting facts and photos.
Rufus was active in political civic affairs. He was county assessor, collector, probate judge and county treasurer. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1865 helping to frame the constitution for the state of Utah. His name appears on the plaque in the foyer of the Utah State Capital building designating Utah as a state.
Proposition on composition of the two houses of the Utah legislature in Rufus' handwriting.
Rufus owned and operated a store across from the family home in Kingston for 33 years. Picture taken in 2002.
He was always very active in religious affairs. He served as a Bishop of the Kingston Ward for 33 years.
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