erry T. Allen, born in Oblong, Illinois in 1876, came to Alaska via the United States Army. He enlisted in 1899 and while in the Army he became a baseball and track star in his division. He served in Spain, Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish American War and was also a veteran of World War I. While stationed in San Francisco in 1906, he assisted in rendering aid to the victims of the earthquake and fire. While stationed as a military guard at Alcatraz Prison, Jerry met and married Albina Kodym, who was born in San Francisco in 1888.

In 1908, Jerry was sent to Nome, Alaska in the military contingent before being assigned to Ft. Liscum, which is now the location of the Alaska Pipeline terminus in Valdez. Albina accompanied Jerry to Ft. Liscum. In 1917, Jerry was appointed postmaster, a position he held until the base closed in 1924.

In 1924, Jerry took his retirement as First Sergeant and moved the family to Anchorage. He was employed by the Alaska Road Commission and also worked part-time for the city of Anchorage. Jerry kept up his interest in baseball and spent time with the youth of Anchorage coaching baseball. He was also one of Anchorage’s first volunteer firemen. He acquired rental property on Fourth Avenue and A Street adjacent to his home and spent most of his time maintaining the properties.

Jerry and Albina had one son, Jerry A. He married Mary E. Unger, and they had two children, Mary Lou Allen Story and Jerry Lee. Albina died in Anchorage in 1953 and is buried in Anchorage Memorial Park in the Masonic Tract. Jerry T. died in 1965 in Oblong, Illinois, and Jerry A. died in 1977.