Walter Cushman Allen was an enrolled student in 1888 at Okemos Union School. Walter was born into an Alaidon Township, Ingham County farming family. His father, James Addison Allen, was an Ohio Union veteran of the Civil War, wounded during that conflct. James Allen (1844-1910) married twice and with his second wife, Melvina (Smith) (1853-1933), their son Walter was born 3 August 1872 and was among the 8th grade students who graduated from Okemos 8th grade in 1888.

Walter continued the family farming tradition. He married Grace A. Laylin, 30 January 1894 in Okemos, and the couple raised 5 children together on the family farm. Grace was born 12 May 1874, Ingham County, and died 15 July 1956, Williamston. Walter died 13 May 1949, Ingham County. The couple were interred together in Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.

Lansing State Journal, Saturday 14 May 1949

Lansing State Journal, Monday 16 July 1956  Grace A. Laylin Allen, widow of Walter Cushman Allen