Hiram Allen
Kansas' 19th Adjutant General
February 01, 1897 - February 21, 1899

COL Hiram Allen was born at Connersville, Indiana, on May 3, 1835. He attended college at Greenscastle, Indiana (Depaw University) and practiced law for a time. He was described as a "reformer" and at an early age became an active abolitionist. At the start of the Civil War, his health prevented him from enlisting, but after recovering in 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army and was made Captain of an artillery company. He saw heavy combat and served until his discharge in August of 1865. On July 22, 1868, he was married to Minerva Murray, and shortly after came to Williamsburg, Kansas and set up a farm. He was very active in the community. Among his activities were, the organization of the Methodist Sunday School, working to expand Williamsburg's economic growth, Township Trustee, County Commissioner and School Director. He was appointed Adjutant General on February 1, 1897, and was responsible for the organization and equiping of the four regiments that Kansas mustered during the Spanish American War. Starting in 1901, COL Allen's heath became very poor again. Around March 8, 1902, his daughter became very sick and he insisted on caring for her and staying by her bedside. For 12 consecutive days he went without real sleep, until his daughter was finally declared convalescent. Upon hearing this, COL Allen's health quickly deterioriated and after suffering a severe chill, he caught pneumonia. He died at his farm in Williamsburg about 5 p.m. on March 29, 1902, leaving a widow and three children. (Written by 1st Lt Dave Young, Public Affairs Officer, HQ-KSANG. Information taken from the Williamsburg Star on April 4, 1902, page 3.)