Story of Allen Herman Westerhouse and Elfrieda Elizabeth Schlegel

Allen was one of Amos and Sophia Westerhouse's twin sons.

Allen and his brother Alvin were twins, born on 9 May 1906. As a young boy, Allen worked on his parents' farm, helping with farming and other chores around the home.  He attended school at the Hopewell East School #68 located a half mile east of his home. While attending school, Allen also played on the Hopewell basketball team. After graduating from eighth grade, he continued his education in Eudora, graduating from Eudora High School May 1926.  

(L-R) Allen and Alvin - 1915

(L-R) Allen and Alvin - 1924

Allen met Elfrieda Elizabeth Schlegel, and she went by the name Frieda Schlegel.  They married on 3 Sep 1927 in Saint Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri by a Congregational Church minister. After marriage, Allen and Frieda are listed in the 1930 census living at 1020 Vermont Street, Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. The census shows Allen working at a filling station and Frieda working at a physician's office.

Allen Westerhouse and Elfrieda Schlegel 

marriage application and license - 3 Sep 1927

Elfrieda Schlegel and Allen Westerhouse Wedding - 3 Sep 1927

During the late 1930's, Allen and Frieda moved back to Eudora living at the corner of Elm and old highway-10. Soon after, they purchased a grocery store and Standard Oil service station.  

Allen Westerhouse working at his Standard Oil service station

13 Feb 1935, Frieda gave birth to their only son, Robert Allen, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. After Robert was born, Frieda continued to work at the grocery store and Standard Oil service station.  

Allen registered for the World War II Draft on 16 Oct 1940. The Registration card shows his name as Allen Herman Westerhouse; his age 34; living at Eudora, Kansas; He was born on May 9 1906 in Douglas, Kansas; telephone as number 117; Elfreida Sophie Westerhouse, Eudora, Kansas will always know his address; employed as self at Eudora, Douglas, Kansas; race of white; color of his eyes are blue; his hair is brown color; he has height of five feet and eleven inches and weight of 180; Has a light complexion.

Allen Westerhouse WWII draft card (front)

Allen Westerhouse WWII draft card (back)

Allen began working in home constructions under the name Herren and Westerhouse Construction. The company worked on large construction projects in the Lawrence area.  Allen was elected Republican mayor of Eudora for two terms from 1949 through 1953. During 1960 Allen and Frieda built a new home at 1015 Elm Street in Eudora, soon after, Allen retired in 1967.

(L-R) Allen, Amos Jr, Oscar Westerhouse - Mar 1975

Three generations of twins 

(L-R) Allen Westerhouse, Maxine Westerhouse (Melanie Claggett), 

Eugene Westerhouse (Melissa Claggett), Alvin Westerhouse – Dec 1983

Allen Westerhouse obituary 

Lawrence Daily Journal World - 18 Jun 1986

Allen Westerhouse funeral card - 17 Jun 1986

Elfrieda Westerhouse obituary 

Lawrence Journal World - 3 Jan 2002

Elfrieda Westerhouse funeral card - 5 Jan 2002

Allen and Elfrieda Westerhouse gravestone 

at Eudora City Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)