Born January 31, 1868. Married Mary Helen Coffer. Of this marriage there was only one child, a son named Gilbert McClellan. Mary was known as Aunt Mary Helen or Aunt Helen. It seems that she was of delicate health, tall and willowy and looked "like a Dresden figurine" and was nearly always late. This latter characteristic did not go down very well with her father in law who was a stickler for punctuality so I've been told. Upon one occasion while visitiing in Millbrook she did not go to church with the rest of the family but arrived later. At lunchtime, great grandfather was taking his daughter in law to task for this misdemeanor and her exuse was, "I was bathing Gilbert (an infant) and I thought his back was a mile long."
Walter was a lawyer and later a Judge in Springfield, Illinois. I have a newspaper clipping at the time of his death which reads as follows:
"To say that Walter McClellan Allen who passed away suddenly Thursday morning was a "gentleman and a scholar" is to give to that expression its broadest, deepest and best meaning." Only those who were closely associated with Walter Allen could measure with any degree of accuracy his great ability and his fine character. He was entirely self-effacing and never sought to impress others with his good qualities. He was the last word in modesty and gentleness- the embodiment of those virtues essential to fine manhood and fundamental greatness. Lawyers and jurists recognized Mr. Allen as symbolizing the best there is in the legal profession. He uttered no unnecessary words in expounding the law with profound wisdom. In all things he was less vocal than intellectual. In church and civic activities this distinguished gentleman contributed much to community betterment. His counsel was sought in many things- religious, civic and social. As a gentleman there were few the equal and none the superior of Walter Allen. his personality was impressive. He possessed poise, gentleness, kindness, and yet he was firm and purposeful in his convictions. As a friend and companion he jewelled with wit and wisdom the hours spent with him. He was the composite of countless virtues-- indeed the perfect gentleman. In the passing of Walter McClellan Allen this community has lost one of its outstanding citizens."
Of the eight sons Walter is the only son who could not make it for the family photo so his image was added.
Walter was a lawyer and later a Judge in Springfield, Illinois. I have a newspaper clipping at the time of his death which reads as follows:
"To say that Walter McClellan Allen who passed away suddenly Thursday morning was a "gentleman and a scholar" is to give to that expression its broadest, deepest and best meaning." Only those who were closely associated with Walter Allen could measure with any degree of accuracy his great ability and his fine character. He was entirely self-effacing and never sought to impress others with his good qualities. He was the last word in modesty and gentleness- the embodiment of those virtues essential to fine manhood and fundamental greatness. Lawyers and jurists recognized Mr. Allen as symbolizing the best there is in the legal profession. He uttered no unnecessary words in expounding the law with profound wisdom. In all things he was less vocal than intellectual. In church and civic activities this distinguished gentleman contributed much to community betterment. His counsel was sought in many things- religious, civic and social. As a gentleman there were few the equal and none the superior of Walter Allen. his personality was impressive. He possessed poise, gentleness, kindness, and yet he was firm and purposeful in his convictions. As a friend and companion he jewelled with wit and wisdom the hours spent with him. He was the composite of countless virtues-- indeed the perfect gentleman. In the passing of Walter McClellan Allen this community has lost one of its outstanding citizens."
Of the eight sons Walter is the only son who could not make it for the family photo so his image was added.
Born January 31, 1868. Married Mary Helen Coffer. Of this marriage there was only one child, a son named Gilbert McClellan. Mary was known as Aunt Mary Helen or Aunt Helen. It seems that she was of delicate health, tall and willowy and looked "like a Dresden figurine" and was nearly always late. This latter characteristic did not go down very well with her father in law who was a stickler for punctuality so I've been told. Upon one occasion while visitiing in Millbrook she did not go to church with the rest of the family but arrived later. At lunchtime, great grandfather was taking his daughter in law to task for this misdemeanor and her exuse was, "I was bathing Gilbert (an infant) and I thought his back was a mile long."
Walter was a lawyer and later a Judge in Springfield, Illinois. I have a newspaper clipping at the time of his death which reads as follows:
"To say that Walter McClellan Allen who passed away suddenly Thursday morning was a "gentleman and a scholar" is to give to that expression its broadest, deepest and best meaning." Only those who were closely associated with Walter Allen could measure with any degree of accuracy his great ability and his fine character. He was entirely self-effacing and never sought to impress others with his good qualities. He was the last word in modesty and gentleness- the embodiment of those virtues essential to fine manhood and fundamental greatness. Lawyers and jurists recognized Mr. Allen as symbolizing the best there is in the legal profession. He uttered no unnecessary words in expounding the law with profound wisdom. In all things he was less vocal than intellectual. In church and civic activities this distinguished gentleman contributed much to community betterment. His counsel was sought in many things- religious, civic and social. As a gentleman there were few the equal and none the superior of Walter Allen. his personality was impressive. He possessed poise, gentleness, kindness, and yet he was firm and purposeful in his convictions. As a friend and companion he jewelled with wit and wisdom the hours spent with him. He was the composite of countless virtues-- indeed the perfect gentleman. In the passing of Walter McClellan Allen this community has lost one of its outstanding citizens."
Of the eight sons Walter is the only son who could not make it for the family photo so his image was added.
Walter was a lawyer and later a Judge in Springfield, Illinois. I have a newspaper clipping at the time of his death which reads as follows:
"To say that Walter McClellan Allen who passed away suddenly Thursday morning was a "gentleman and a scholar" is to give to that expression its broadest, deepest and best meaning." Only those who were closely associated with Walter Allen could measure with any degree of accuracy his great ability and his fine character. He was entirely self-effacing and never sought to impress others with his good qualities. He was the last word in modesty and gentleness- the embodiment of those virtues essential to fine manhood and fundamental greatness. Lawyers and jurists recognized Mr. Allen as symbolizing the best there is in the legal profession. He uttered no unnecessary words in expounding the law with profound wisdom. In all things he was less vocal than intellectual. In church and civic activities this distinguished gentleman contributed much to community betterment. His counsel was sought in many things- religious, civic and social. As a gentleman there were few the equal and none the superior of Walter Allen. his personality was impressive. He possessed poise, gentleness, kindness, and yet he was firm and purposeful in his convictions. As a friend and companion he jewelled with wit and wisdom the hours spent with him. He was the composite of countless virtues-- indeed the perfect gentleman. In the passing of Walter McClellan Allen this community has lost one of its outstanding citizens."
Of the eight sons Walter is the only son who could not make it for the family photo so his image was added.
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