Charles L. Allen
Charles L. Allen, editor and proprietor of the “Hope Pioneer” was born in the suburbs of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana on June 21, 1865. His grandfather, Joseph Allen, came from England and settled in Virginia, then to Columbus, Ohio, and finally located on land south of Indianapolis, Indiana. There were but 2 log cabins in the vicinity at that time and he was a pioneer in the days of Daniel Boone. He died in 1878.
Charles L. Allen was the only child born to William and Mary (Constable) Allen. At 12 years he started for himself with $2.00 in his pocket, and worked at odd jobs in Des Moines, Iowa, then learned telegraphy under his uncle at Panora, Iowa. He went to Dakota in September, 1883 and worked as a farm laborer and the following year accepted a position as operator for the Northern Pacific Railway at Cooperstown, and in 1886 entered the printing office of the “Griggs County Courier”. He established his first newspaper, the “Tower City Journal” in October 1890 and 2 years later built the first building in Enderlin, North Dakota and edited the “Enderlin Journal”. He bought the Hope Pioneer in June 1895. He built his present printing office and a house 3 years later.
The Hope Pioneer was established in 1881 by the Red River Land Company and that building, together with the hotel “Hope House” and a general store at one time constituted the business portion of Hope, North Dakota. He bought one half section adjoining the town on the east.
Mr. Allen married in 1893 to Miss Emma C. Loomis, born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He is a member of Knights of Pythias, D.O.K.K. and I.O.O.F.
Bibliography condensed from Compendium of History and Biography page 244.