Though an Oklahoman by birth, I am a Kansas by choice. I was one of seven
  children born to Louise Frei Allen and Louis Clark Allen, early day settlers
  of Barber County, Kansas and Woods County, Oklahoma.
     I received my elementary and high school education in the Hardtner Public
  Schools, graduating with the class of 1936. Perhaps this accounts in part to
  my affinity for the City of Hardtner, and the surrounding area. I attended
  Oklahoma A&M College for three and one-half years, prior to my induction into
  the United States Army at the outbreak of World War II.
     After thirty-nine months, including a tour of the European theatre of 
  operations, I received a medical discharge for wounds incurred during the
  Battle of the Bulge.
     Shortly thereafter, I met and married Joyce Beem of Alva, Oklahoma, and
  set up housekeeping in a farm home two miles south of Hardtner where I started
  a farming operation. During the three years we lived there, our two daughters
  came to bless our home. Laressa, now Mrs. Dean Johns of Liberal, Kansas, and
  Linda, a Corrections Department of Oklahoma employee, now living in Moore,
  Oklahoma.
     In 1949 we purchased our first home in Hardtner and continued farming until
  1952, when we sold out and built a new home. I then engaged in the construction
  business, a trade that I still practice today.
     Our daughters were both educatied in the Hardtner schools. Laressa attended
  Oklahoma State University at Alva until her marriage. Linda continued her
  education at Pratt Community College and Ft. Hays State University, receiving
  her B.A. degree in Physical Education. She is currently working on her Masters
  Degree at Oklahoma City University.
     In 1951 I became involved in civic affairs and active in the American Legion.
  I recently retired after four years as Mayor and twenty-three years as a City
  Council member. I also served many years on our Church Board and two terms as
  American Legion Commander of our post.
     My wife and I have seen many changes over the years in Hardtner. Although
  we have lost many of our original businesses, as have all small communities, we
  still have faith in our town and believe it is the nicest place to live. We have
  one beautiful granddaughter, and we are within driving distance of all of our
  immediate family.
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 84  
     Submitted by: Phillip and Joyce Allen