Allen Brown Joseph was born February 7, 1858 to Albert and Malinda (Knisely) Joseph at Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia. Allen had one brother and three sisters: Angeline, Emily, Peter, and Sarah. Tragically, this young family lost Emily at age of two from complication from teething, and later lost Emily, Peter, and father Albert due to diphtheria (1861). It was said Malinda swabbed Allen's and Sarah's throats with wood ashes (lye) which helped saved their lives!

Allen came to Allen County, Ohio when he was 20 years old and hired out as a farmhand. Though wanting to return to his home in Virginia, he decided to stay because he'd lost his heart to a girl named Nancy Jane Driver. They were married in December 13, 1884.

Allen Joseph was a teamster and operated a thrashing outfit. He and Nancy started on 40 acres in Perry Township but after 16 years moved to the eventual homestead on the Dixie Highway in Bath Township. In all, Allen and Nancy had 12 children: Carrie, Grace, Hattie, Anna, Malinda, Jesse, Emma, Frank, Charles, Hazel, Sara, and Elmer.

Though Allen had been raised Lutheran, he joined the Pleasant View Church of the Brethren and he and his family were active within the church their whole lives. He was on the building committee for the church and was a charter member of the Lewis Grove Cemetery. Also he was part of the co-op that purchased a grain elevator in nearby Beaverdam and he was honored for selling the most war bonds in Allen County in 1917. In 1918, Allen was instrumental in bring power to area farmhouse.

Allen Brown Joseph passed away January 9, 1921 after an unsuccessful gall bladder operation. His wife Nancy was a loving mother and cherished by all who knew her. She was always helping others and often took others in to the home in time of need. Nancy died of stroke December 22, 1930. Both are buried in the Lewis Grove Cemetery at the Pleasant View Church of the Brethren.

(Information for this article was based on a 23-page historical narrative by Elmer "Pete" Joseph, Allen's youngest child, many years ago. Ben and his wife Renae and five children live in the original farmhouse built by Allen in 1909. Ben is Allen's 3rd great-nephew, 2nd great-grandson to Allen's sister, Sarah Jane Joseph.)