August 9, 1838

Born at the Lucius Allen Farm his parents, James Allen IV and Martha Cowperthwaite.

He got his middle name after his Aunt Hannah who had the name picked out for a girl. Milton was the fourth of seven children. His family later moved to the Samuel Branin farm where he received his first schooling.

1844

Milton had a terrible fall when he was only 6 years old from a cherry tree and dislocated his hip. He was bedridden for two years. To keep busy and to keep his mind off of the pain, he read while he was in bed. Because of reading Milton learned how to read and write better than any child who attended school. The accident left him disabled, so he could not run. However, he became good at hitting,throwing, and catching in baseball. He loved games and was a champion at playing marbles.

1854

At the age of 16, Milton was offered his first teaching job at Eastern School (a.k.a Haines Mill School ) where he got paid 3 cents per student every day. On the first day teaching all by himself, he earned 18 cents. He had six students at the time, three of which were his brothers. The school day started at 8:45 am and ended at 4 pm.

1867

Milton attends the NJ State Normal School for teachers located in Trenton for one year. The outbreak of the Civil War prevented him from returning back to the NJ State Normal School. So he returned to Eastern School for a few years before opening a private boarding school in Medford.

Milton marries Mattie Bryant Gaskill. “Milton Allen had seven children, five of whom survived him,and all of whom went on to long and productive careers in medicine, higher education, teaching, and banking. Their success provides evidence of the education they received from their father." (from Dr. John L. Allen, great grandson of Milton. H. Allen). Click here to read about the live's of Milton H. Allen's children!

Allen planted trees in the school yard marking the first celebration of Arbor Day in New Jersey.

Milton Allen retired after 45 years of service (25 years being principal) in Medford Schools. He continued in public life as a Justice of the Peace being known as Squire Allen.

August 16, 1924

Milton dies at the age of 86. He is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery on Bank Street in Medford.