In 1905 Breyman Block

Abbie Allen was born on 27 Aug 1877 in Nebraska to Eli and Isabella Allen. She was 20 years old when her father died in 1897 and 23 when her mother died in 1900. Abbie was the youngest and last remaining child in the family home.

The record is not definitive, but Abbie apparently left Nebraska shortly after her mother died to join her older brother William in Salem, Oregon. William was a linotype machine operator for the Statesman newspaper. Abbie worked a few jobs including a short stint in the finishing room at Thomas Kay Woolen Mill in late 1903.

On 18 Jun 1907, Abbie married Benjamin N. Shontell in Portland, Oregon. The marriage license application shows them both living with William at 268 Meade St. We next find Abbie and Benjamin living in Tacoma, WA with a newborn in 1910.  Brother William apparently moved to that area as well.  By 1916, Abbie and family had moved to Auburn, WA when brother William passed away in Tacoma.

By 1930, after trying out several jobs, Benjiman was working at the Washington Veterans Home in Retsil, WA as a janitor.  He passed away on 22 Sep 1944 and was buried at the Veterans Home Cemetery.  He was a Spanish/American war veteran.

Abbie was able to stay on as a resident of the Veterans Home until her passing on 24 Apr 1950.  She was buried next to Benjeman.  Her son, William A. Shontell was apparently her only remaining relative.  He married twice, had one child with his first wife and passed away in 1992.

1910  Mrs. Shontell, 28, born 1882 in Ohio. Residence: Tacoma, Washington. Wife of HOH. Mother born in Ohio. Father born in Iowa. 1 child born, 1 alive.  B. M. Shontell, 35, HOH (laborer). Mrs. Shontell, 28, wife. William A. Shontell, 4 mos., son. six lodgers.

1920  Abbie E. Shontell, 42, born 1878 in Nebraska. Residence: Bremerton, Washington. Wife of HOH. Father and Mother born in Indiana. Benjamin N. Shontell, 42, HOH. Abbie E. Shontell, 42, wife. William A. Shontell, 10, son.

1930  Abigail E. Shontell, 52, born abt 1878 in Nebraska. Wife of HOH. Not employed. Residence: Veterans Home, Kitsap County, WA. Age at first marriage 29. Father and Mother born in Indiana. Benjamin M. Shontell 76 (?) HOH and Janitor. Abigail E. Shontell, 52, wife.

1940  Abigail E. Shontell, 62, born abt 1878 in Nebraska. Wife of HOH. Residence: Veterans Home, Kitsap County, WA. Father and Mother born in Indiana. Benjamin M. Shontell, 63, HOH. Abigail E. Shontell, 52, wife.  Neither are employed. They are shown as residents.

1890  No Robert or Abbie Allen

1893  No Robert or Abbie Allen

1905  Abbie E Allen, stenog Turner and Inman, rms Breyman Blk.

No William Allen

1905  Wm R Allen, $800 Independence [Salem CD tax rolls]

1910  W. R. Allen $2,500 Salem. No entry in main listings. [Salem CD tax rolls]

1911  Wm R. Allen, $3000 Salem. No entry in main listings. [Salem CD tax rolls]

Benjamin Newell Shontell. Birth: 13 Sep 1876 in Waterbury, Washington County, Vermont. Death: 22 Sep 1944 (aged 68) Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington. Burial: Washington Veterans Home Cemetery, Retsil, Kitsap County, Washington. Plot: Section 58, Lot 25. Memorial ID: 38330381

Capital Journal 10 Dec 1904, p. 4 – Among those present at a celebration for the first wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Pettyjohn was Abbie Allen.  Others attending:  Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thiessen, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Pettyjohn, Misses Marcia Burton, Bertha Clough, Edna Engle, Nettie Breese, Vlada Van Vlack, Emma Bennett, Minnie Pettyjohn, Alda Cannon, Messrs. Rex Bishop, C. J. Thomas, Dan Quinn, Will Slugg and Claude Settlemeier.  (none associated with TKWM)

Oregon Statesman 5 Jan 1905, p. 6 – Miss Abbie Allen has gone to San Francisco, where she will reside in the future.

Tacoma News Tribune 18 Oct 1916, p.2 – William R Allen Obituary. A linotype machine operator.  Died at age 55 on 14 Oct 1916 at the Tacoma General Hospital of acute asthma.  Known as “Senator” by printers of Seattle, Portland and other cities of the northwest.  Leaves sister Abigail Shontell of Auburn.  Interment at Tacoma Cemetery.

1915 Washington Death Certificate.  Abbie E. Shontell.  Born 27 Aug 1877.  Died at age 72 on 24 Apr 1950 in Retsil, WA.  Widow.  Father: Eli Allen.  Mother: Isabella Robinson.