Civil War Records of Nathaniel M. Allen

 

Obituary for Nathaniel M. Allen

The Concord Enterprise, August 2,1900

 

Obituary AN OLD SOLDIER PASSED AWAY

After a long illness Nathaniel M. Allen passed away Monday at 5.40 p.m., at the age of 60 years.
   Mr. Allen had been a resident of this town for 16 years and during the entire period has followed the business of watchmaker, his stand being the office of the hay scales in the square.
   He was a native of Boston¹ and in '61 enlisted from that city in the 1st. Mass. Regt., serving for three years, and acquired the record of a brave and excellent soldier. 
   He was a member of the 1st Regt. Association and at its 38th anniversary which was held May 25, 1899, in Boston, he was awarded a medal of honor from Congress, Gov. Wolcott presenting it, for bravery at the battle of Gettysburg. The occasion was one which will be recalled by the members of that association with sadness, for at its next annual gathering “old Nat,” as he was called by them, was prevented from meeting with them by reason of the sickness which resulted in his death.
   He had been in failing health for the past year but attended to his business until May 13, when, by reason of weakness, he became unable to pursue it and since that time gradually failed until the end came.
   He was a good citizen, a warm and genial friend, and was always ready to help a needy brother, his charity being done, as those who best knew him can testify, in a quiet and unostentatious way. In his home he was greatly beloved as the elder brother and will be sorely missed.
   He was a member of Post 138 of West Acton and at their last annual meeting was unanimously elected commander, but feeling that, because of his health, he could not attend faithfully to the duties of the office, he declined the honor.
   He had a host of warm friends throughout the town. He leaves one brother and sister, residents of Lawrence, and two sisters with whom he resided in this village.
   Funeral is to be held at Congregational church, Thursday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m.; prayers at home at 1.30. Burial at Woodlawn cemetery.

 

Footnotes:
1 — Although born in Boston, Nathaniel's parents and older siblings had resided in Acton for a time, his father, Gaius Allen, having moved the family to Boston when he took a job as a policeman there.