| Notes |
- According to Sharon Aasheim (Sep 2000):
Treassa Harman Allen was buried in the Bladensburg Cemetery. She died at the home of her daughter Sarah Allen Bedwell, wife of George Bedwell. Tressa was born in Ohio and moved to Iowa with her parents when she was about 4 years old.
Ottumwa Daily, Oct 12, 1916 (transcribed by Sharon):
SOUTH OTTUMWA WOMAN NEARING 80TH BIRTHDAY
In the autumn of the year 1842 tiny Treassa Harmon in company with her parents, George and Juda Harmon and her brothers and sister, journey from -------- County, Illinois, where she was born October 1, 1837, to Jefferson County, Iowa. Here the family wintered and the following spring continued their trip to Wapello county arriving here the second day of May, or the day following that date upon which the indians gave up their possession of this territory. The father took up a homestead some some ten miles northeast of Ottumwa, in what is now Pleasant Township. A clearing was made in the timber and here the home of the Harmon family was built one roomed house of hewn logs with a roof of linn bark. The furnishings were few, but the Harmon children, nevertheless, enjoyed their sleep and dreams on a prairie hay bed, the fram of which was made of post fastened to the walls. The mother cooked the family meals, which consisted of cornbread and other corn meal "delicacies", wild deer, and turkey and wild fruits, using a "reflector" to bake and an open fire by a big stump for her stove during the first summer. The cornmeal, "the pioneer's staff of life", was prepared for use at Bonaparte, a distance which could be covered in two weeks.
In this home, surrounded by a wonderful woodland where Indians still built their wigwams, little Treassa grew to womanhood, and in June 1853 was united in marriage to J.M.J. Allen, a native in Indiana, who early sought the possibilities of this section. They made their home for sixty years on a 20 acre tract of land near the Harmon homestead. A small log cabin was the "cozy cottage" for this happy couple who went to housekeeping with two homemade beds, a cook stove, a home made table, six chairs, three knives and forks, three cups and saucers and six plates.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen were the parents of nine sons and daughters. Those living are Mrs. George Bedwell of Blakesburg, Andrew Allen of this city, and Victoria at home with the mother. Mr. Allen passed away in October, 1913, and in the latter part of October 1915, Mrs. Allen came to the city and located with her daughter at 557 South Moore Street.
Mrs. Allen's fifteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren are very fond of their grandmother and look forward to next autumn when, together with her children and hosts of friends, they can greet her on her eightieth birthday.
Obituary (photocopied by Sharon, no source given):
IN MEMORIAM / Tressa Harmon Allen
Tressa Harmon Allen, the daughter of George and Juda Harmon was born October 1, 1837 in the state of Ohio and passed from this life December -- 1919 at the home of her daughter Mrs. George Bedwell, 557 South Moore Street, Ottumwa. She came with her parents to Iowa when she was about four years old. She was married to G.M.J. Allen June 2, 1853. Her husband departed this life five years ago. To them were born nine children, six of whom preceded the parents in death. Those left to mourn her death are Victoria, Mrs. George Bedwell and Andrew all of Ottumwa, two sisters, thirteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. She was in poor health for more than three years but was uncomplaining and patient. Her last words wer "God have mercy on me. Thy will be done." She was a faithful Christian woman for more than thirty years.
A short service was held at the home of her daughter on Moore street, December 10 at 10 a.m. conducted by Rev. Karaker and Rev. R. W. Pettit. Following this short service her body was taken to Bladensburg by auto where a service was conducted by Rev. B. W. Pettit and Rev. Karaker.
Her body was lowered to its last resting place beside her husband.
Thus we are called upon to give up a splendid mother, neighbor and friend. Blessings upon her memory.
--contributed
- (Research):According to 1900 census, both parents born in PA
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1837 - 1919 (82 years)
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