John Allanach
John Allanach
Summary
Parents
- Father – Francis Allanach
- Mother – Elizabeth Williams
Birth
John Allanach was born on 28 December 1875 in Cork, Ireland, to Elizabeth Williams, age 31, and Francis Allanach, age 29.
Siblings
John had four sisters and three brothers. A possible eight sibling, Francis, might have been born prior to Mary.
- Jane Allanach (born 1869)
- Mary Allanach (born 1871)
- Isabella Allanach (born 1873)
- Francis Allanach (born 1878)
- William Allanach (born 1880)
- Elizabeth Allanach (born 1886)
- James Alexander Allanach (born 1891)
Marriage
John Allanach married Caroline Hummel in Saugerties, New York, USA, on 17 December 1902 when he was 26 years old.
Children
John and Caroline and two daughters
- Edith Elizabeth Allanach (born 1904)
- Ada Marie Allanach (born 1908)
Death
John Allanach died on 13 August 1967 in Marion, Massachusetts, when he was 91 years old.
Life Story
1875
John was born on 28th December 1875 in Cork.
1897
According to later records (1900 and 1910 census), John emigrates to America from Ireland.
1900
According to the 1900 census, John is living in Pomfret, WIndham Connecticut as a boarder with occupation listed as ‘gardener’. His age is stated as 24 and he lives at the residence along with James Mann (24), Anne Mann (27), Alfred Mann (8), Raymond Mann (10 months), James Tanner (23) and Fred Boddy (17).
1904
John arrives in Boston 29th May 1901 aboard the ‘Peruvian’. Occupation in Scotland was stated as ‘coachman’ and residence as Polmont.
1902
According to the New York marriage index, John marries Caroline Hummel 17th December 1902 in Saugerties New York.
1904
John becomes a US citizen.
1910
The 1910 census shows John living in Marion Massachusetts with wife Carrie and daughters Edith (5) and newborn Ada, as well as a boarder named Bessie Witherwax (26), a servant. He is working as a florist
1917
The 1917 draft record for John provides some fascinating details. It shows he continues to work as a florist on Front Street Marion, that he is deemed relatively tall and slender, with grey eyes and brown hair.
1920
The 1920 census shows John still working as a ‘greenhouse florist’ and continuing to live on Front Street Marion with wife Caroline and daughters Edith (15) and Ada (11).
1927
John also engaged in some real estate activity, selling plots on Planting Island, as this advertising placard from 1927 shows.
The lot price list for Planting Island November 15th, 1927
1930
The 1930 census shows John still working as a ‘nursery florist’ and continuing to live on Front Street Marion with wife Caroline and daughters Edith (25) and Ada (21).
The building at 260 Front St. (above, photo courtesy of the Sippican Historical Society) was built circa 1830 and was at one time occupied by the local stagecoach driver. It had been owned by the Allanach family when it was purchased by Tabor Academy.
In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Because of the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but more than 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office). Marion is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.
All of Marion’s historic buildings are compiled and featured in the book, “Marion,” by Judith Westlund Rosbe, which is for sale at the Sippican Historical Society. Those interested can come in any Saturday morning to purchase a copy and have all of Marion’s historic buildings in one book.
1935
Courtesy of the Sippican Historical Society. ”A wonderfully informative aerial view of the Tabor waterfront campus in 1935. At left is Lillard Hall, with Bushnell Hall above it, closest to Front Street. To the right is Hoyt Hall with the large area of landfill and its arcing seawall between. On the west side of Front Street are the old Town Hall and the grammar school, that, with the Red Rock School (hidden in trees here), comprised Tabor’s temporary academic center. The white complex of structures above Hoyt Hall on Spring Street are greenhouses owned by horticulturalist John Allanach. Hoyt Field with its ball diamond is visible at upper right, and along the curve of Front Street in the foreground the granite outline of the hockey pond can be seen.” 
1938
John and Carrie take a trip to Bermuda aboard the SS Queen of Bermuda, arriving back in New York February 7th 1938.
1940
The 1940 census shows John still working as a florist and continuing to live on Front Street Marion with wife Caroline and daughters Edith (35) and Ada (30).
1943
John reports on the decent of a bomber, believed crashed.
1947
Courtesy of the Sippican Historical Society. ”Photo from one of the first Marion Antiques Shows held in Hoyt Hall gym, Tabor Academy in the late 1940’s. John Allanach flower exhibit. He owned a flower shop in this building which later became Hoyt Hall. He also owned 3 green houses. Mrs. Charles Winkler (Barbara) kept the shows going in the mid to late 1950’s. She hired Lloyd Hathaway, an antiques dealer from Boston, to manage the shows.’‘
1950
The 1950 census shows John now listed as a ‘proprietor’’ and continuing to live on Front Street Marion with wife Caroline and daughter Edith (45).
1953
Courtesy of the Sippican Historical Society. “Church Vestry Is Dedicated in Marion – First Congregational Church in Marion – Inspecting the facilities are Miss Clara M. Lewis, John Allanach, Roderick Beebe and Rev. Joseph A. Porter (pictured) ”
1954
A local newspaper of 11th September 1954carries the sad news that John’s wife, Carrie, has died.
1954
Courtesy of the Sippican Historical Society. John is featured in a newspaper article of 7th October 1954, informing of his retirement after 46 years of work and selling the business.
1954
Courtesy of the Sippican Historical Society. John is featured in a newspaper article of 18th December 1954, informing the town of his retirement after the sale of of his business.
1959
On 26th September 1959, 50-year members were honored by Alcyone Chapter No. 122, Order of the Eastern Star, Marion – Mrs. Alice Perry, John Allanach, Mrs. Gertrude B. Martin, Frederick J. Shaw, Mrs. Jennie Barden and Fred B. Barden (pictured).
1960
John (75) travels with daughter Edith (64) for perhaps a last trip to the UK, staying at 238 Beulah Hill in Norwood, South London (house shown as of today). He arrives on 23rd May 1960 from New York into Southampton on board Cunard’s illustrious ship RMS Queen Mary.
Queen Mary coming into Southampton in 1960:
1967
John dies aged 91. He resided at 385 Warehem St. Marion when he passed on 13 August 1967.
1985
John is remembered in an article in the Boston Globe July 21st 1985. 
