Transcribed from The Biographical and Historical Record of Wayne and Appanoose Counties Iowa
Originally published 1886, Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, IL


John Calvin ALCORN, deceased, came to Wayne County, Iowa, with his family in 1866, and bought a half section of land in Clay Township, on which he lived about six months, when he sold it and removed to Warren Township buying a quarter-section on section 16, of George Dean. Mr. Alcorn erected a fine dwelling and other buildings and made other substantial improvements on his farm, but was not permitted to long enjoy the fruits of his industry and labor. November 22, 1877, while at work in his barn he was kicked and fatally injured by a horse, dying from the effects of his injuries four days later. He was an industrious, worthy man and highly respected in the community in which he lived. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church at Allerton, he and his wife having united with that church in 1852. At the time of his death he was a ruling elder in his church. Mr. Alcorn was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, in 1829, and was reared in Armstrong County, whither his parents moved when he was an infant. He was married in that county in 1852 to Susan M. Holler, a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, but also reared in Armstrong County. Her parents, Samuel and Jane Holler, removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois, making the latter State their home till death. In 1855 Mr. Alcorn removed with his family to Marshall County, Illinois, and made that county his home until his removal to Iowa in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Alcorn were born twelve children, six of whom died before the father, and one, the youngest daughter, Ella., has died since. One son, the eldest, Samuel Newton, was killed by lightning May 4, 1868, in the fifteenth year of his age. The children now living are -- John C., Alexander M., Lemuel O., Alva E. and Emma May. The last two are still on the homestead with their mother.