The Portland daily press., 1891-07-29
Sketch of Mr.. Aliens Life.

Mr. II. y. Allen was one OF the most re-
markable business men In Maine Born up
on farm where he had to work hard during
his youth, with few opportunities for ac-
quiring an education and none for acquiring
capital, he died yesterday at the age Of 43,
leaving property worth So. .0O0, 900, probably
all Of which he had acquired by his own ex-
ertions. Mr. Allen was born In Manchester,
few miles from Augusta, In June, 1S49
His father was James Madison Allen, far
mer. During his boyhood days he worked
on his fathers farm, and the only instruc-
tion he received was at the district school
in the winter months. Before reaching his
teens he mads up his mind to try and OBJ
tain some position beyond the scope of his
surroundings, but did not strike out until
he was Is years of age, when he became
book and newspaper canvasser. His CAPT.
tai was about $50 that he had accumulated
by raising few garden products for the
Augusta market. For nearly a year and
half he pursued the business Of a canvasser.
and during that time he migrated from
Maine to Ohio, In which state he found a
more profitable field than Maine. He re-
mained in Ohio until November 1868, when
he returned to his native state to see his folks
and to convince them by the sue
cess he had met with that he was
capable CT taking care of himself. His
intensions were to go to the Pacific slope and
settle there, where he believed there were
good opportunities for general business pur-
suits. While he had not fixed upon auy
definite pursuit his mind ran to gold mining
and prospecting, II an opportunity presented
itself. His parents, however, prevailed upon
him to remain at home that winter, and he
| 50 decided. Previous to his canvassing ex-
perience, and partly developed by il, he had
| considered certain ideas in connection with
the publishing business in a special line, aud
he resolved to practically carry out these
ideas. Without moneyed friends and
by the sheer force of his own will,
backed by what little capital he had,
he started the publication Of month
| ly periodical which obtained the ex-
traordinary circulation Of upward of 400 600
| copies the first year, circulation that was
unequa allied by any other periodical at that
time published in the western hemisphere.
In 1870. aud before he had attained his ma
| Jority, ne erected In Augusta, six-story pub
| nsning mouse, exclusive OF the basement,
| constructed OF brick, stone and iron, which,
| with Its appointments, cost upwards of SIPS.
OOO. through we'll known advertising
| agency he made contract for an average
advertisement Tor three months, the like Of
which, 1t Is believed, has never been par
Il 1880 " ohy auN1AbtoCk III tue WUElus Ut
contract included every paper In the United
States OF every description for lump sum.
by the terms of this contract the agency was
absolutely obliged to insert the advertise
ment 10 each and every paper In this country
| Until 1871 he enjoyed uninterrupted success
but that year ne received q considerable
setback, mainly through pushing plans thai
proved unpopular, and by 0ver-advertising,
| which resulted in a loss Of over quarter oi
million dollars. This loss swept away his
accumulated capital, and left him with q
serious indebtedness to carry. Dull time,
| also came on, which little later resulted IN
a stagnatlon OF business all over the country
From that year until 1876 he held his own
simply carrying his indebtedness. In 1876 he
conceived the publication of a popular recor(
Oh the great centennial exposition at Phila
deipnia, laying out programme which gavt
not only complete record of the exposition
out freely and fully illustrated its most i'm
portant features. The result of this under
taking was profit sufficient to pay up al
his liabilities, aud to leave him with /;
modest capital free and clear.
| In 1877 business In the country began /,
Improve, and Mr.. Allen did not lose sight 0
the opportunity to push his business an,
make the most Of the advantages which la,
before him. During the next three year
that followed he started no less than y dif
Ierent publications, in addition to four h
WAS already publishing, making 16 In all
lnelr success was marvellous; their aggre
gate subscriptions, every one OF which wa
| paid In advance, reaching the phenomena