Edmund ALLEN, proprietor of the Wilmington Butter and Cheese Factory, Wilmington; born in Broome Co., N. Y., May 21, 1814; removed to Illinois in the summer of 1835, locating at Joliet, where he engaged in mercantile business; Mr. ALLEN put up the first barrel of beef that was sent from Chicago to the New York market; the packing was done at the packing-house of G. W. DOLL, and the beef shipped by the old favorite steamer Illinois to Ralph Mead, New York City. Jan. 1, 1844, he removed to Wilmington, engaged in merchandising and milling, at the same time making the butter trade a specialty, being instrumental in establishing a trade in the latter commodity which has placed Wilmington foremost as a market for a good grade of butter; since 1856, he has given his entire attention to this line of business, buying and shipping to the St. Louis market, until 1875, when he erected one of the best butter and cheese factories of the Northwest. Married in 1842 to Miss. Elizabeth SHOEMAKER, who was born in Herkimer Co., N.Y.; four children by this union – Robert L., Edmund A., John J. and Mary E.
Source: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.