Charles Allen is my Great Grandfather

Allen, Hon. Charles A. , member of the Thirty-Sixth General Assembly from the Thirty-First District of Illinois, was elected on the Republican ticket in 1884, 1886, and 1888, and is consequently serving his third term.  He has brought to his position fine natural abilities, a large experience, and a conscientious fidelity to duty, which was enabled him to study the best interest of his constituents, to whom he has given uniform satisfaction.

Mr. Allen is recognized as a gentleman of more than ordinary ability, and has been prominent in the councils of his party for years, both in Central Illinois and in the Legislative halls at the Capitol of the State.  In 1885 he served on the Judiciary Committee and with several other important bodies, and in 1887 was Chairman of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, being that year also on the Judiciary Committee.  In 1889 he was chairman of the Committee on Corporations and Educational Institutions, while at the same time remaining with the Judiciary Committee.  During the lively discussion over the matter of Gen. Logan’s appointment we was the first man on the roll call, at that time a very important position.

All the interests of Mr. Allen have been centered in this county and vicinity, and here he has spent nearly his entire life.  He was born in Danville, July 26, 1851, and two years later the family removed to the Ridge, in the northern part of the county, where they were the earliest settlers.  Young Allen after leaving the district school entered the law department of the Michigan State University, by which he was graduated in 1876.  He began the practice of his profession in Rossville, where he remained until 1881, when the new town of Hoopeston began to assume encouraging proportions, and he, accordingly, removed thither, where he has since made his home.  In connection with his practice he has dealt considerably in real estate, and is now the owner of 1,200 acres of land.  In the meantime he became one of the most prominent attorneys of this part of the county, and he has held various responsible positions connected with local affairs.  Socially, he is a charter member of the K. Of P., and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the I. O.O.F.

In Rossville, on the 4^th of April, 1879, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Mary Thompson, daughter of L. M. Thompson, a sketch of who appears else in this volume. Of this union there have been born two bright children, both sons – John N. And Lawrence T.  The family residence is pleasantly situated, and forms an attractive resort for its most cultivated and refined element.

The father of our subject is William I. Allen, the first man to settle along the Northern line of this county.  He is still living, and is represented on another page in this work.