Forreston Herald, February 2, 1901:

James W. Allaban died at his home in Polo, Monday evening of sarconi?, of which he was a great sufferer for the past year or more. The funeral services were held in Polo, Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Mr. Allaban was born in Delaware county, N.Y., June 12, 1849, and was the son of Dr. Jonathan C. and Angeline (Decker) Allaban.

He came to Polo Oct. 12, 1855 with his parents and was educated in the city schools of that city. He entered upon the study of law with Col. M.D. Swift in 1873 and was admitted to the bar in January, 1878, and immediately entered upon the practice of law, which profession he has since followed. He was one of the leading attorneys of Ogle county, and was held in high esteem, not only among the attorneys of the county, but by a large circle of friends in northern Illinois. He held the office of town clerk of Buffalo Township for four years and was city attorney of Polo for two years. He was a life-long democrat and always, with the exception of the last two presidential elections, took an active part in politics; being a gold democrat he did not support the candidacy of Wm. J. Bryan. Mr. Allaban was married at Polo, Oct. 23, 1878, to Miss Alverna Baker daughter of Elias and Mary M. (Swingley) Baker. Two children were born to their union, both boys. The eldest, Jonathan C., was born Sept. 26, 1879, and died March 2, 1882; the youngest, named Max, was born Feb. 22, 1885, who, with Mrs. Allaban, survive.

Mr. Allaban was a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of the Globe, and the funeral services were conducted by the Odd Fellows, at the opera house in Polo, Thursday afternoon, and the house was crowded. Brothers S. H. Seas, Fred Nicodemus, A. M. Walker and M. D. Stover of White Oak Lodge IOOF were in attendance from Forreston.

Submitted by Morgan

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