John Allan
“John Allan Dead at 82; Taught Nearly 34 Years”
Transcribed by S. Stout from the Wellsville Daily Reporter, Mar. 6, 1969,
John Allan, 82, industrial arts teacher at Wellsville High School for nearly 34 years, died at his home at 269 N. Main Street shortly before noon Wednesday (March 5, 1969).
A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Mr. Allan was born Jan. 18, 1887, son of George and Janet Thompson Allan. Orphaned in infancy, he was graduated from Beith Academy in Glasgow and then served a woodworking apprenticeship with North British Cabinet Works there. He was a member of the Glasgow Choral Society, the Rambling Club of Glasgow, and a life member of Free and Accepted Masons in Scotland. An instructor of swimming for several years, Mr. Allan earned medals and a diploma in life saving, including the Royal Life Saving Society Medal, bestowed in 1908, the year he emigrated to the United States.
Mr. Allan was employed for several years in the Syracuse-Utica area. When the United State entered World War I, Mr. Allan, by then a naturalized citizen, joined the U.S. Army and served in England with the 14th Construction Co. After the war, Mr. Allan entered Oswego State Normal and Training School, and was graduated in 1922. He joined the Wellsville High School Faulty Sept 5, 1922 and remained with the local system until his retirement Jan. 31, 1956.
At a testimonial dinner honoring Mr. Allan on April 12, 1956, James H. Gambell, high school principal, said,” for the past 33 ½ years the words Industrial Arts Woodworking and the name of John Allan have become inseparable in the memory of students of Wellsville High School….. The retirement of Mr. Allan will leave many gaps to fill, as it will leave many pleasant memories with us.”
In a Reporter feature story dated Feb. 1, 1956 and written by Charles Engelder, Mr. Allan was quoted as saying,” I’ve always been blessed with a fine bunch of boys, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of my contact with them.” The veteran educator was made an honorary member of the Wellsville Chapter of the Future Farmers of America at a testimonial dinner following his retirement.
Mr. Allan was married in 1932 to the former Alvina Meyer, who survives. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Friends are being received in the West Wing of the Embser Funeral Home, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today. Services will be conducted in the funeral home at 2 p.m. Friday by the Rev. Elmer W. Krentz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
(Photo image from the Wellsville Daily Reporter, March 6, 1969.)