| Notes |
- JOHN CHRISTIAN ALLMAN. The career of John C. Allman, proprietor of Allman's Coal & Building Supply Company, of Huntington, has been an active and varied one and has invaded several widely divergent fields of activity. A machinist by trade, in his young manhood he trod the boards as a member of several theatrical companies and subsequently, for a time, was employed in the city's public service. Since 1918, however, he has been identified with his present business, of which he is the sole owner, and which has become one of the leading enterprises of Huntington.
Mr. Allman was born at Huntington, May 6, 1881, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Fisher) Allman. His grandfather, Charles Allman, was born in the State of Hessen-Hamburg, Germany, whence he immigrated to the United States in 1840 and settled in Ohio, where his death occurred in 1862. Christian Allman was born at Canal Dover, Ohio, February 4, 1854, and was eight years of age at the time of his father's death. He passed his life on a farm until 1872, in which year he came to Huntington County, Indiana, as agent for a farm implement company. Later he became the proprietor of a retail liquor store until 1908, disposing of his interests therein to engage in the coal and lumber business, until 1910. He then embarked in the business that formed the nucleus for the present large concern of which his son is now the proprietor. Mr. Allman commenced the business in a modest way, with a small capital, but his energy was boundless and he possessed good business judgment, so that soon he was noticed as one of the coming coal and building supply dealers of the city. He continued to increase and develop the business and at his death, March 17, 1930, was known as one of the substantial business citizens of Huntington. While he never mixed in politics, he was interested in civic affairs, particularly in those movements which had for their object the betterment and welfare of the city of his adoption, and could always be counted upon to give his hearty support to such enterprises. In 1880 Mr. Allman married Miss Elizabeth Fisher, who was born at Huntington, in 1858, a daughter of of Nick Fisher, a pioneer shoe merchant of the city. She still survives, as do four of her five children, of whom John C. is the eldest.
The public schools of Huntington furnished John C. Allman with his educational training, and after he had graduated from high school he applied himself to learning the trade of machinist, which he followed for several years while thus employed the opportunity presented itself for him to join a theatrical troupe, at which the youth eagerly grasped, and for several years appeared on the stage. Deciding that the life of an actor was not his forte, in 1909 he accepted a position in the office of the city civil engineer of Huntington, and continued to be thus employed until 1918, when he became his father's associate. Since the elder man's death he has been the sole owner of Allman's Coal & Building Suuply Company, which is a wholesale and retail business, with a commodious coal yard and supply house, and a splendid new office building at 933 Second Street. Mr. Allman stands high in business circles and has an excellent reputation among his fellow-members in the Indiana Building and Supply Association. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce he cooperates with other public-spirited business men in the formation of new movements for the betterment of the city. A Catholic in his religious views, he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Loyal Order of Moose. His hobbies consist of gardening and raising flowers.
Mr. Allman married Miss Mabel Clara Fahl, who was born on a farm in Union Township, Huntington County, Indiana, a daughter of Samuel Fahl, now deceased, a pioneer farmer of the county, and to this union there have been born five children: Frederick John, William Christian, Robert Burdett, Eloise Lucille and Virginia Lou. The pleasant and attractive family home is situated at 1325 North Guilford Street.
INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
|
1881 - 1939 (57 years)