Steen, Allen J.

Description

Allen Johnston Steen was born on May 11, 1897, in Rhinebeck, New York, to Maude L Traver and Thomas Johnston Steen. In Rye his family lived at 66 Milton Road.

Allen enlisted, June 22. 1916, in Troop D, Squadron A Cavalry, New York City. Squadron A was federalized for service on the Mexican border and mustered in June 30, 1916.

The Squadron was assigned to Camp McAllen, Texas, as part of the 6th NY Division ( later to be the 27th Division). He returned to New York with his Troop, December 23, 1916 and mustered out of border service, December 28, 1916.

During WWI, Allen mustered in for war service with Troop D, Squadron A Cavalry, July 22, 1917. Squadron A reorganized for the World War as the 105th Machine Gun Battalion, 27th Division. He was assigned to Company B as a Sergeant. The Battalion was assigned to Camp Wadsworth, SC, as part of the 28th Division for training.

After training at Camp Wadsworth the 105th MG Battalion shipped out for Europe, May 18, 1918, aboard the USS Calomares, from Newport News,, VA. The battalion docked at St. Nazaire, France May 30, 1918. More combat training was conducted in France and the 27th Division entered the Lines in mid-July 1918. He saw combat in both Belgium and France.

Allen returned to the States with his battalion, aboard the USS Leviathan, departing from Brest, France, February 23, 1919 and docking at Hoboken, NJ, March 6, 1919. On March 23, 1919 he marched in the great “Welcome Home Parade” for the 27th Division, up 5th Avenue in New York City.

He was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant from the service April 1, 1919.

Allen married Helen Douglas Reynolds on June 21, 1921, at the First Presbyterian Church in New Rochelle, New York. They had two children during their marriage. At the time, he was working with the real estate firm of Pease & Elliman of New York City. By 1927 Allen was vice president and treasurer of Mahlstedt -Steen Securities, a company specializing in real estate, land development and construction.

In 1931 his marriage ended and the Great Depression had arrived. Allen and millions of others struggled and faced bank foreclosures. In 1937 he was working for Harwest Properties Inc dealing in commercial real estate properties in Harrison, NY.

Allen enlisted in 1942 and served in the US Army during World War II. He served with the US Army Engineers aiding in the construction of Camp Kilmer in Stelton, NJ.

After the war, Allen was back in the real estate, building and development industry. He built grocery stores and apartment building throughout the NY Metropolitan area. In 1969 he headed the River View Corp and built a 20 story, 316 unit apartment building in Pennsauken NJ.

Allen Johnston Steen died on April 21, 1980, in Camden, New Jersey, at the age of 82.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his second wife Hazel N. Steen of Cooper River Plaza, Pennsauken, N.J.