by John D. Benedict

1922
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
P. 58

ROBERT I. ALLEN, M.D.

One of the best known surgeons in northeastern Oklahoma is Dr. Robert I.Allen, who was born at Coodys Bluff on the 9th of September, 1877, a sonof Dr. R.M. and Mary (Journeycake) Allen. His father was a native ofIllinois, in which state he resided until after the close of the Civil war.Upon the outbreak of that war he enlisted in the Federal army and became amember of the medical staff. He was a stretcher bearer at the battles ofLookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Dr. R.M. Allen received his medicaltraining at Rush Medical College of Chicago and was a graduate of thatinstitution. He came to Nowata in 1868 and was the first practicingphysician here. He was successfully identified with the profession until1904, when his demise occurred in Nowata. In September, 1868, occurredthe marriage of Dr. R.M. Allen to Mary Journeycake, whose uncle, CharlieJourneycake was the noted chief of the Delawares. Mrs. Allen diedJanuary 16, 1922, and was buried beside her husband in Nowata county.

In the acquirement of an education Robert I. Allen attended the Cherokeeschools and later entered Bacone Indian University and Willie HalsellCollege at Vinita. Determining upon a medical career, he subsequentlyenrolled as a student in the Baines Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri,and graduating in 1899, began practice at Centralia, Craig county, thisstate. Later he removed to Dewey and in 1915 went to Nowata, where heresided until July 1922, when he removed to Bristow, Oklahoma. He hasbuilt up an extensive and lucrative practice and is considered one of thefinest surgeons in this part of the state.  In addition to his privatepractice Dr. Allen is chief of the surgical staff of the Nowata Hospitaland he discharges his duties in that connection with a high sense ofobligation and with strict regard to the ethics of the profession. Dr. Allen, together with Dr. D.M. Lawson, was one of the influentialfactors in effecting the establishment of that institution, which is nowlocated in the Galer building. The hospital has a competent staff ofdoctors and nurses and has the most modern equipment.

Dr. Allen has been married twice. In 1900 he was married to Miss MaudeC. Webb, a daughter of Charles and Columbia Webb, natives of Virginia.Mrs. Webb is living in Kansas, while her husband is deceased. Mrs. Allendied in 1913 and some years later the doctor was again married, MaudeElizabeth Oschman becoming his wife. She is the daughter of Fred andMargaret Isabell Oschman and for some years was an instructor in the highschool at Nowata. To the second union three children have been born: Margaret Isabell, Roberta Louise and R.I., Jr.

Since attaining his majority Dr. Allen has given his political allegianceto the republican party, having firm belief in the principles of that partyas factors in good government. He has never sought nor desired publicoffice, however, and declined an appointment as delegate to the nationalconvention from the fifty-ninth district. Fraternally he is a Mason and isconceded to be an exemplary member of the craft. Upon the entrance of theUnited States into the World war Dr. Allen put all personal interests asideand in the spring of 1918 enlisted in the army. He was stationed at CampGreenleaf, Georgia, for some time, was transferred from there to BelleviewHospital in New York and was subsequently sent to Camp Upton on Long Island.He received his honorable discharge in January, 1919. Dr. Allen waspromoted to a lieutenancy soon after his enlistment. He is a constantstudent of the profession and keeps in touch with the progressive work thatis being done by the most eminent members of the profession, through readingthe best medical literature and through membership in various medicalorganizations. Dr. Allen is one of the alert and enterprising citizens ofNowata, and while heavy demands have been made upon his time and attentionin the practice of his profession, he has yet found opportunity forcooperation in many public movements whereby the welfare of the communityhas been promoted. 

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