Reuben Edwin Allen was the son of James Addison (1944-1910) and his second wife, Melvina Smith (1853-1933) Allen. Reuben was born 16 April 1877, Ingham County, Michigan and attended Okemos School with his brother, Walter, and half-sister, Lois. All three Allen children were among the Okemos Union School attendance list of 1888.

Reuben's father was an Ohio Union Civil War veteran who farmed for a living. According to the 1900 US Federal Census, Reuben and his new wife of 2 years, Marion, were living on his father's farm and Reuben was laboring for his father. He and Marion Lucinda Vidto married 9 September 1897, Spring Arbor, Jackson County, Michigan. Marion was born 27 October 1874, Jackson County, Michigan. Reuben continued to farm all his working years and together he and Marion raised a son and daughter, James Arthur and Ivaline.

Reuben died 24 December 1931, Alaiedon Township. He had major surgery the year before his death and never fully recovered. His death was attributed to bronchial pneumonia. Reuben was interred Glendale Cemetery.

Marion went on to remarry longtime family friend Fred John Kaiser, 1 November 1934 in Indiana. Fred had lost his wife in 1930 and too had been an 1888 Okemos School 8th grade graduate. Marion and Fred had 17 years together before Fred died 20 January 1951, Lansing, Ingham County. Marion followed in death 20 November 1953, Ingham County. The couple lived for many years on the Kaiser farm on Powell Road, Okemos. Fred was interred Glendale Cemetery near his 1st wife, Melvina Schroen. Marion was interred near Reuben, also at Glendale Cemetery.

Lansing State Journal, Saturday 26 December 1931

Lansing State Journal, Saturday 21 November 1953  Marion (Videto) Allen Kaiser, widow of Reuben Allen