John Allen spent many years living in a log cabin which was located at what is now about the middle of the big reservoir north of Mt. Vernon. When he sold that piece of land, he built a home on what is now the present location of the J.e. beach. His brother, Hibe Allen lived nearby and they both raised their families in that area .

Sherman Allen, his three brothers. Eli, Dee and Charlie and two sisters, Rose Allen Cox and Nin Allen Short, grew up there. In 1899 Sherman went to work for the Illinois-Iowa Power Co., (now our present Illinois Power Co.) He worked for them until he retired in 1941. His first job with the com­pallY was at the old pump house near Tolle Road. Later he was made foreman of the gas and water department and remained on that job until he retired. Upon retiring he was given a din­ner party and a gold watch by the company and fellow employees.

While with the power company, he was also a city fireman. Each fireman had an alarm in his home. which was sounded in case of a fire during the night. The fire barn was at the same location as the present fire station. It had stalls for the big beautiful horses, a jail cell or two where the city police would hold any law breakers. and sleeping quarters for the driver of the appartus. The fire apparatus was kept in position at all times, the harness for the horses was on pulleys and suspended from the ceiling and could be quickly lowered onto the horses, a few buckles tightened, and the horses. sensing a run, were raring to go. The apparatus was then driven to the northwest corner of the square where all the firemen could (hopefully) get there in time to climb on the wagon and rush to the fire.

The firemen had another duty to perform: every 4th of July a high platform was built on that corner of the square for a fireworks display. Roman candles, sky rockets and sparklers for an audience of young and old. It was a great evening for everyone. On one such celebration someone accidentally drop­ped a match or sparks fell into a box of Roman candles. They started to go off in every direction. Everyone scrambled for cover and fortunately no one was injured.

Source: Facts and Folks of Jefferson County, Illinois Page 77
Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer