Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-17
VOL. LXXV.
william Allen, Governor of Ohio.
From the Cincinnati Commercial.


William Allen, Governor of Ohio.
From the Cincinnati Commercial.
William Allen was born 10 Edenton, Chowau
county, at the head of Albemarle Sound, North
Carolina in the year 1907, and is now sxty-sev-
en- wears of age-more than one year the junior
of Judge Swayne, Of the Supreme Court. He
was by the death Of both father and mother left
an orphan in his infancy. His parents were
poor.
Aliens sister, elder by many years than he,
was married to Pleasant Thurman, and they
were living at Lynchburg, Va, where their
ouly SOD, Allen G., Thurman, was born. They
had, think, three daughters, but one Of whom
is living. Pleasant Thurman had been origi-
naliy possessed of means, but by becoming sure
ty was rendered poor. He was not man OF
more than ordinary intellect or energy, but he
was still ''the Dobest work Of God-an honest
mau." This reputation he bore through life
and has left behind him as an inheritance to
his children and remembrance to others. He
lived and died a member and exhorter OF the
Methodist Church. 10 Mrs Thurman both
her brother and son are more indebted than to
any other person for their advancement IN the
world.
When the son Allen G. was but four years
old his father and mother removed from Lyuch-
burg, Va, to Chillicothe, Ohio, where they re-
sided until their death. and where the son liv
ed until his election to the Supreme Bench in
1852 William Allen remained at Lynchburg,
supporting himself working, | believe, as o
sader's apprentice, until he was about sixteen
wears of aye. He then collected together his
worldly goods, tied them in handkerchief, and
set out on foot to seek the home OF his sister 10
Ohio
Alter taking up his residence in Chillicothe,
at which place he has ever since resided, young
Alien was by his sister placed 10 the old Chill
llcolhe Academy, where he received his only
real instruction FROM teacher.
Aliens sister, Mrs Thurman, selected aud
supervised his general reading. ln this he
considers that be derived the greatest adyant-
age.
Shortly after his election TO the Senate Mr..
Allen married Mrs Efhe Coons formerly Nc
Arthur, the beautiful and accomplished daugh-
ter of General Duncan McA,thur-bis early,
true, and ouy love; she chose Allen from among
host Of distinguished sultors from several
States She inherited the old homestead and
farm, where Allen, having added many acres
TO the latter, still, with his daughter Dlrs.
Scott, her husband, and their children and
his grandchildren, resides. 1t s we'll known
tlat prior 70 neT HTSL mdTTlaSe sue duu WI.
Allen were devoted TO each other; and while
her father. Governor Macarthur, was not per-
soualIy unfreudly to MIR. Allen, yet their op-
position in politics and strong positive qualities
caused him to think that their connection would
cause them to antagonize, and ultimately to
produce discord between them, and he there
fore disapproved of their union.
He ever maintained fearless and uuhiuching
integrity, and the voice Of caumuy itself never
accused him of liceptousness. In all these re-
spects bis life has been az pure as that OF ohm
T. Calhoun-far above the reputation of Clay
or Webster, or even Of Washington himself.
Mrs. Allen died shortly after the birth Of their
daughter and only child, Mrs. DR.. Scott In
health and in sickness Mr. Allen was most
devoted and affectionate husband and when
she died he rode on horseback with the corpse
from Washington city to Chillicothe. lie has
never thought of marrying since, and it is al
most certain that if he had not married her,
his only love, he never would have married
at all.
Aliens vocal organization is marvel. His
ability to make himself heard when with Gene
raj Cass at Buffalo, in lS4S, in spite of two
steamboats, attempting to prevent bis being
heard, is true.
The Ruins OF JAMEsTowN.-Jame
was settled by the intrepid John Smith, May
l2,h 1907 onA xpou Ia uoll known tha first