Col. Alvaren Allen was born in New York in 1822; came to Wisconsin in 1837, and to St. Anthony Falls in 1857, where he engaged in the livery, staging and express business. In 1859 he followed railroading; in 1873 he bought Col. Shaw's interest in the Merchants Hotel of St. Paul, for $40,000, and Col. Potter's interest for $275,000, property now held at $500,000. In 1887 he rented the property to Mr. Welz. Col. Allen is a genial man, and has friends all over the continent. He was the second mayor of St. Anthony Falls, and has held various public positions in St. Paul.
H. P. HALL.
Harlan P. Hall.—The writer has been unable to obtain any sketch of the history of Mr. Hall. We have to say that he has been an enterprising journalist in St. Paul. He was the founder of the Daily and Weekly St. Paul Dispatch; also of the St. Paul Daily and Weekly Globe. He is a fluent, versatile writer, and a genial associate.
Stephen Miller, a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania, was born Jan. 7, 1816. Being in straitened circumstances he early commenced a life of toil, supported himself and to a great extent educated himself. In 1858 he removed to St. Cloud, Minnesota, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1860 he served as delegate to the Republican convention at Chicago that nominated Lincoln for the presidency. In 1861 he enlisted as a private soldier, but rose rapidly from the ranks, being commissioned as a lieutenant colonel of the First Minnesota Infantry, then as colonel of the Seventh Minnesota Infantry. He was in command of this regiment at the execution of the thirty-eight condemned Indian murderers at Mankato. In 1863 he was commissioned as brigadier general but resigned to accept the position of governor of Minnesota. In 1871 he removed from St. Paul to Windom. In 1873 he was in the Minnesota house of representatives. In 1876 he was presidential elector. In 1839 he was married to Margaret Funk, of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. They have had three sons. One son was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Gov. Miller died in 1878, at Windom, Minnesota.
CHAPTER XXII.
DAKOTA COUNTY.
This county, a rich farming district, lies on the west bank of the Mississippi between Ramsey and Goodhue counties. It was originally well diversified with timber and prairie lands, and is well watered by the tributaries of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. Vermillion river, which flows through this county, has near its junction with the Mississippi a picturesque waterfall, now somewhat marred by the erection of mills and manufactories.