Philip Allen, a Revolutionary War veteran, and his children Philip Jr., Harvey, Sidney, Pliny, Asa Keyes, and Persis came from New York in May, 1845, to settle in Allen Grove. Sixty-five Allens traveled by canal boat, steamboat, and overland from Kenosha, bringing material to build four houses, carpenters to build them, a minister, Bibles, and hymnals. The Allens organized the Congregational Church here in 1845, established a preparatory school for Beloit College in 1856, and saw Philip Junior become the first postmaster in 1846. Philip Allen Senior is buried in Mt. Philip Cemetery west of here.