Jane Rennetts Langford Hamilton Allen Daily

Thanks are in order to two more Langford cousins, Julie Ramirez and her father, John Allen, who shared their research over the last weekend. It was in their family tree on Ancestry.com that I first found Charles and Fannie listed as Oscar’s parents. I contacted John and we have shared emails since about the Langford line. This weekend Julie sent me a few links about Jane Langford and a summary of their research.
They advise that Jane was married three times. Previously, I had only known of one marriage, making it difficult to find Jane in census records.
Her first marriage was to Merritt Hamilton in 1847, in Mount Carroll, Illinois. They had two children during the brief marriage. Sadly, her first husband died in 1851 and her children both died very young.
Shortly after this, Jane’s sister Mary died near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, leaving her husband, Merritt Allen with children to raise. It must have seemed like it was meant to be when Jane and Merritt Allen fell in love and married on May 24, 1854 at Two Rivers. And the family did grow adding children to the household. But it may have been a marriage of convenience. It does not seem to have lasted and Jane can be found living with her children Mary, 5, and Thomas, 2, in Sabula, Iowa, in the 1860 census.
And Jane married for a third time on April 1, 1864, this time to George Daily, in Jackson County, Iowa.
Jane and her children can all be found buried together in South Mineral Cemetery, near Wyoming, in Jones County, Iowa. Many of the Langford family landed in the three neighboring Iowa counties of Clinton, Jackson and Jones. Jane lived in all three.
In addition to Jane, the following are buried in the South Mineral cemetery:
Jane’s son Thomas Franklin Allen and his wife, Angie Ward Allen

Jane’s daughter Mary Allen Alden is also buried here, but Mary’s year of birth is listed as 1853, which would make her the daughter of Jane’s sister, Mary. This will require some further investigation.

Jane’s grandson and his wife are also resting there, Leo George Allen and Ora May Howard Allen. Leo was one of three children of Thomas Allen. The other two being Otto Allen and Millie Allen. Millie Allen, age 4, was also buried there in 1883.

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And here is Jane’s obituary including a recount of a tragic accident.

From The Wyoming Journal Newspaper
Wyoming, Jones County, Iowa
February 27, 1896

In Memoriam

    Jane R. Allen, after having been confined to her bed for nearly five years from injuries she received in falling into a cistern, departed this life February 1, 1896 at the home of her son, T. F. Allen of Wyoming Township. Her maiden name was Langford. She was born in Fredonia, New York, April 20, 1818. She came to Iowa in 1836, was married to Merritt Hamilton in 1847, who died in 1851 leaving her with two small children who died while young. In 1853, she was married to Merritt Allen to whom three children were born who survive her: T. F. and G. E. Allen and Mrs. Mary Alden.
    The funeral services were held at South Mineral Church, conducted by Rev. A. W. Smith, February 2, and her body laid to rest in the South Mineral Cemetery.
    Mrs. Allen, though a great sufferer, bore her affliction with patience and a sublime trust in Jesus. Her cheerfulness and sweet temper on her bed of sickness were a beautiful lesson to all who visited her.

    ‘Who are these arrayed in white,
    Brighter than the noon day sun,
    Foremost of the sons of light,
    Nearest the eternal throne?
   
    These are they, that bore the cross,
    Nobly for thy Master stood,
    Sufferers in his righteous cause,
    Followers of the dying Lord.”


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Here is the obituary of Thomas F. Allen as posted by the Jones County Historical Society:


Thomas Franklin Allen was born at Savana, Ill., Oct. 12, 1857. He passed away at the farm home near Spencerville, Iowa, February 28, 1919, aged 61 years, 4 months and 16 days. He was united in matrimony to Miss Angie Ward at Maquoketa, Sept. 9, 1880. To them three children were born. The eldest, Millie dying while a baby in 1883, and the sons Otto M. and Leo G. who reside on the home farm. Mr. Allen leaves a sister, Mrs. Mary Alden of Cedar Rapids and a brother George who lives in Portland, Ore. There are also two grandsons, Millard and Lyle, left to morn with and to comfort the bereft widow who will continue to reside on the farm that had been the pleasant home of this happy family for many years.
Frank Allen, as he was affectionately known, was one of the progressive farmers of Wyoming Township. He stood for the best things in community and state. For 18 years he was a trustee of the Township and also served in that capacity for Mineral Church and Cemetery. He was a man whom his neighbors could trust and who never spared himself when he could serve anyone in need. It was only when his last illness compiled that he resigned his posts of public trust.
He was converted in 1876 and has since lived the Christian life. For years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and was a faithful attendant at Church, even going when almost too ill. He will be greatly missed by his fellow worshipers.
For three months he has been confined to his home where he has been a great but patient sufferer. All that medical skill and loving hands could do was done to alleviate his distress but death came to his release on the above date. His sister Mrs. Alden was permitted to be with him and Mrs. Allen for the last five weeks which was a great comfort to all concerned. Here in the home of his mature years, which he had ever labored to make a bright place for the family the last special effort being a family dinner last Christmas day, planned by himself. Here his spirit took its flight back to the God who gave it. The home, the Church, and the community, will greatly mourn and miss him. Peace be unto his soul.
The funeral was held at the South Mineral Church, March 2, 1919. The services were conducted by the Pastor Rev. Jesse Smith. Music by Mrs. Samuel Hutton and daughter, and Mr. Burkey with Mrs. Chatterton at the organ. Interment was then made to the beautiful cemetery by the church.

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And, lastly, here is the obituary of Jane's grandson, Leo George Allen:

A native of the Onslow, Iowa area who had lived for several years in Lockwood died in a Monticello, Iowa hospital last Friday, June 11 (1965), after an illness of four days. He was Leo George Allen, for whom death came at the age of 78.
Mr. Allen had made his home in Lockwood with his son Lyle and his family since 1957. The elder Mr. Allen operated the scales at his son's rock quarry east of town. He was stricken by his final illness while visiting friends and relatives in Iowa. He had been in Iowa since shortly before Memorial Day before falling victim to the illness which claimed his life.
Mr. Leo George Allen was born on a farm near Onslow, Iowa on January 2nd, 1887. He was the son of T. F. Allen and Mrs. Angie Ward Allen. He was married to Miss Ora Howard on February 9th, 1916, in Wyoming, Iowa. To their union was born one son, Lyle.
Mr. Allen united with the Onslow Presbyterian Church at an early age. He farmed land in the Onslow area homesteaded by his grandfather until his retirement following the death of his wife in 1946. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, his wife, and one grandson.
Survivors include a brother, Otto of Wyoming, Iowa; and a son Lyle and a grandson Larry, both of Lockwood.