(1890-1900) 

            Martha Margaret “Mattie” Hunt was the oldest of six children born to William H. and Julia A. [Dixon] Hunt. She was born in September 1872 in Wenona, Illinois. Her father was a butcher and continued this trade in 1885 when the family moved to Republican City, Nebraska and again in Salem where the family moved in 1890. This same year Mattie began work at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. It is unknown where she received her training in millwork, particularly the skilled trade of weaving.  

            The 1895 Marion County census recorded some personal details about her. She was 5’5 inches tall, 115 lbs. with a dark complexion. Mattie married Frank W. Allen on 22 Oct 1903 in the home of her parents. After their marriage, the couple left at once for Sumpter, Oregon where Frank had a job with the Eastern Oregon Mining Company. The couple had four children: Chester, Lois, Lenore, and Mary. 

            The Allen family moved back to the Salem area prior to World War I. We find them in the 1917 city directory in Jefferson, OR where Frank is listed as the superintendent of City Electric Light & Water Co. By 1920 they had moved into Salem as Frank began work at the Oregon Pulp & Paper Co. 

            Frank died on 12 May 1932 in Salem. After his death, in the mid to late 1930s, Mattie’s award-winning recipes turn up in local newspapers. Her Tomato Surprise Sandwich recipe won the local paper’s Recipe Round Table contest. And Fricasseed Spring Chicken was awarded recipe endorsement by Better Homes and Gardens. The certificate brought national recognition, “being awarded only to distinguished recipes that passed BHG test kitchen tests for dependability, excellence of taste, and family usefulness.” (Capital Journal, 17 Apr 1936) 

            Mattie remained a widow until her death on 18 Sep 1964 at the age of 91. A few years prior to her death she moved to Hillsboro, OR to be closer to her children. Mattie was buried alongside Frank in City View Cemetery in Salem, OR. 

     Mattie – b IL, 5’5”, 115#, dark, weaver, Prot., f, 21. 

     Listed in father’s household 

1880     Mattie Hunt, birth date: abt 1874 Illinois, home in 1880: Wenona, Marshall, Illinois, Father William Hunt birthplace: Illinois, Mother Julia Hunt birthplace: Illinois, age: 6, other members of household: Zula (4), Maud (11/12), Martha Dixon (grandmother) 

1900     Mattie M. Hunt, birth date: Sep 1872 Illinois, home in 1900: 892 Leslie St., Father William H. Hunt birthplace: Illinois, Mother Julia A. Hunt, birthplace: Illinois, occupation: weaver, other members of household: Yula Y (24), Maud Y (20), Guy A (18), Warren J (13), and Maurice (10)  

1910     Martha M. Allen, age:36, birth date: abt 1874 Illinois, home in 1910; North Pale Rd in Bourne, Baker, OR, Husband Frank W. Allen age: 36, birth date: abt 1874 Michigan, occupation: mill watchman, years married: 6, other members of household: Chester H. (5), Lois M. (4), Lenore F. C. (2) 

1920     Margaret Allen, age: 41, birth date: abt 1879 Illinois, home in 1920: Haines St. Salem, OR, Husband Frank Allen age: 46, birth date: abt 1874 Michigan, occupation: engineer, other members of household: Chester (15), Lois (13), Elenore (12), Mary (2) 

1930     Mattie C., age: 58, birth date: abt 1872 Illinois, home in 1930: 625 N. Winter Salem, OR, Husband Frank W. Allen age: 58, birth date: abt 1874 Michigan, occupation: electrician, other members of household: Chester (25), Julia M. (12) 

1940     Mattie M., age: 66, birth date: abt 1874 Illinois, home in 1930: 625 N. Winter Salem, OR, widowed, other members of household: Chester (35), Julia M. (22) 

1917     Allen Frank W, supt City Electric Light & Water Co 

1924     Allen Frank W (Martha), electn OP&PCo, h 625 N. Winter 

1928     Allen Frank W, electn OP&PCo, h 625 N. Winter 

1930     Allen Mattie M, h 625 N. Winter 

             Allen Frank W, electn OP&PCo, h 625 N. Winter 

1932     Allen Mattie M, h 625 N. Winter 

             Allen Frank W, millwkr OP&PCo, h 625 N. Winter 

             Allen Chester H, electn OP&PCo, h 625 N. Winter 

1934     Allen Mattie M, (wid Frank W) h 625 N. Winter 

             Allen Chester H, millwkr OP&PCo, h 625 N. Winter 

1934     Allen Mattie M, (wid Frank W) h 625 N. Winter 

             Allen Chester H, millwkr OP&PCo, h 625 N. Winter 

Frank W. Allen, birth date: 1873, death date: 1932, cemetery: City View Cemetery, burial place: Salem, Marion, OR, memorial ID: 74840790. Frank W Allen (1873-1932) – Find A Grave Memorial  

Capital Journal, 23 Oct 1903, p. 3 “Miss Mattie Hunt, Mrs. Allen Now. The home of Mr. And Mrs. W. H. Hunt, at 392 Leslie street, Salem, Ore., was the scene of a pretty wedding when their daughter, Mattie, was married to Frank Allen, son of Judge and Mrs. Geo. Allen, of Sumpter, Ore. They left Thursday, Oct. 22d, for Eastern Oregon, where the groom holds a responsible position with the Eastern Oregon Mining Company.” 

Oregon Statesman, 25 Oct 1903, p. 5 “Allen-Hunt. At the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. And Mrs. W.H. Hunt, Thursday, October 22, at 2 p.m., Miss Mattie Hunt was married to Frank Allen, of Sumpter, Oregon, Rev. W.C. Kantner officiating. They will make their home in Eastern Oregon, where the groom holds a position with the Eastern Oregon Mining Company.” 

Capital Journal, 3 Nov 1903, p. 5 “Reception Last Night. A very pretty reception was tendered last evening at the home of W.T. Wolford and wife to Frank Allen and wife, who were recently married in Salem. An excellent supper was served early in the evening, which put the guests in fine humor for the sequence of games and parlor pleasantries that followed. Among the guests of the evening were: Judge George E. Allen and wife, S.S. Start and wife, Miss Bryant, Misses Edna, Lottie, and Mary Allen. Mr. Allen will leave today for the North Pole mill, where he is foreman. –Sumpter Reporter.” 

Capital Journal, 12 May 1932, p. 15 “Allen — At the residence, 625 North Winter street, early Thursday morning, Frank W. Allen, Survived by widow, Mattie Allen, children, Chester Herbert of Salem, Lois Gilbert of Portland, Lenore Allen, Portland, and Mary Allen of Salem: father and mother, Mr. And Mrs. George Allen of Baker; brothers, Charles Allen of Eureka, Cal., Robert of Portland; sisters, Charlotte Hunt of Los Angeles, Mrs. Edna Shark of The Dalles and Mary Allen of Baker. He was a member of Jefferson lodge A.F. & A.M. of Jefferson. Announcement of funeral services later by W.T. Rigdon and Son.” 

Oregon Statesman, 20 Sep 1964, p. 6 “Mattie Allen. HILLSBORO – Mrs. Mattie Allen, 91, former Salem resident, died Friday at Hillsboro. She came to Salem in 1890 and lived there until moving to Hillsboro a few years ago. Surviving are a son, Chester, Portland; three daughters, Lois Gilbert and Mary Lucas of Portland and Lenore Pries of Sherwood; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. at City View Cemetery in Salem.” 

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