Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-30

October II, 1926. in the town of Cush-
ing, Knox county, Maine. His pater-
| nal ancestors were of English origin,
having emigrated from Gloucester
county, England. and settled at Glou-
cester. Mass, removing late to New
Gloucester, Cumberland county, Me-.
where his father wa sborn. His mater
nal ancestors We're of Scotch-Irish
stock. His mother, Elizabeth Hem
derson, was born at Pleasant Point
Gushing, Me-. and was an only daugh-
ter. Her father was a sea captain
as We're also four of her brothers.
When the subject of this sketch was 8
years of age, his father purchased and
moved onto a farm at The Meadows"
$50 Called) in the town of ThomaSton.
Knox county. Maine He remained with
his father. engaged at farming numbering
and burning lime during his minority.
His advantages for education were limit
ed to such as were then afforded by the
public schools of his town. supplemented
by instruction at select schools at Thorn
aston and Rockland.
In 1Si1 he engaged at the Malne State
prison. serving one year as overseer in
the lime quarry. under Warden Benjamin
Carr, and the following year as disciplin-
arian. under Warden Bennett. In 1850 he
went to New Orleans, where. after spend
ing the following winter, he shipped as
mate. for Bordeaux. France, and on his
return he re-shipped, as mate. and made
a second voyage to the same port. In
1854 he was employed by the Brunswick
Canal and Lumber Co., at Brunswick.
Ga, as general superintendent, having in
charge 500 slaves, and with their help
building a canal-lock at Brunswick. also
one II miles distant, on the Altamaha
river above Darien.
Returning to Thomaston in 1885, he was
elected to the lower branch of the State
Legislature as a Republican. In 1857 he
contracted with Warden HiX of the Maine
State prison, for the labor of the convicts.
May l, 1861, he was appointed deputy col
lectOr of customs of the port of Thomas
ton. Resigning the following September.
he enlisted in the LIST Regiment. Maine
Cavalry Volunteers. and was commits
stoned as major: was promoted colonel of
the regiment March /. 1862. He served in
Army of the Potomac. and in September,
1852. was appointed by General Burnside.
military governor of Frederick City. Md.
where he remained until he resigned in
1863 on account of his health. In the sum-
mer of 1863 he went to California, by way
of the Isthmus, where ne spent a year
travelling in that state and in Nevada.
Returning to New York he was employed
by Charles Gould and Amos Gaylord of
Wall street, New York city. to purchase
mineral lands in West Virginia and Ken
lucky.
For three years, commencing in 1865, he
was engaged in the oil business in Penn
sylvania. From 1867 to 1876 he was pro-
prietor of the Stevens house on Broad
way, New York. In 1877 he engaged in
the manufacture of lumber and in the ice
business on the Kennebec river at Gar
diner and was business partner of the
late Governor Bodwell for IA years. In
1888 he was appointed by Governor Marble
warden of the Maine State prison. and
was re-appointed by Governor Burleigh
in 1892 He held this position until 1896.
At the Organiza ton of the Republican
party he espoused it's principles. and has
since remained one of it's most active and
earnest supporters. In 1885 he was elected |
to the State Senate from Knox county
and reelected in 1887 for the succeeding |
term. He is a member of the P. Henry |
Tillson Post G. A. R.. at Thomaston. a |
member of the Commandery of Maine |
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of |
the United States" and of the Society of
the Army of the Potomac
In 1859 Colonel Allen married Miss NJ.
Adelia, daughter of Joseph Ingraham of
ROckland. They have one child. Lucy.
who is the wife of F. II. Tobey of Thorn
aston.