ALLEN, Richard S.
Past and Present of the City of Rockford and Winnebago County, IL, C. A. Church.   Chicago:  Clarke Publishing Company, 1905, p 752

Richard S. ALLEN, deceased, for many years a resident of Rockford, was numbered among its early settlers, having located here in 1849.  He was a native of Probus, Cornwall, England, born 28 Nov 1833, a son of Thomas ALLEN and a grandson of Henry ALLEN, both native of Probus, in which place the grandfather spent his entire life, following the stonemason's trade.  The father, Thomas ALLEN, was also a stonemason, who continued his residence in his native town and was there married to Miss Margaret SECOMB, a daughter of Samuel and Joanna SECOMB.  Thomas ALLEN died in Probus in 1841, his wife surviving until 1843.  They were the parents of ten children:  Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary, John, Mary (2nd), Henry, Emma, Edwin, Richard S. and William.  Mary (1st) and Henry died in England, but the others of the family came to America, making their homes in the Praire state [IL],  and nearly all are yet residents of IL.  Samuel enlisted in Company D, 74th IL Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Little Fort, SC.  John ALLEN was a manufacturer of artificial stone in Rockford, and is now living retired in this city.

Richard S. ALLEN received but a common school education in his native country, and there began to learn the trade of a cutter in a tailor shop.  In 1849, in company with some of his brothers and sisters, he sailed for America and made his way direct to Rockford, where he secured employment in the tailoring establishment of Joe BURNS.  He afterward worked for WALLACH & BACHERACH for a short time, and then accepted a position in the shop of George R. ATKINSON, a leading tailor of Rockford, with whom he remained for 12 years, at the end of which time he began business on his own account, opening a tailoring establishment on East State Street, where he remained for several years.  He then removed to the west side, where he conducted business for several years, after which he returned to the employ of Mr. ATKINSON.

On 22 Jul 1857 Mr. ALLEN was married in Beloit [Rock County], WI, to Miss Clarissa Jane WOODWORTH, a native of Dunham, Canada, born 07 Dec 1836, a daugher of Gresham and Clarissa (HILL) WOODWORTH, the former a native of the state of NY, and the latter of Canada.   The father, removing to Canada, there resided until 1840, when he came to Winnebago County [IL] and purchased a farm in Guilford Township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death.  Mrs. WOODWORTH then came to Rockford, where she made her home with her children until her demise.  Mr. and Mrs. ALLEN became the parents of three children.  Frank S., the eldest, a glazier by trade, married Carrie E. SMITH, of Rockford, a daughter of H. T. SMITH, who was a stonemason by trade, and formerly resided in this city, but is how living in KS.  Frank S. ALLEN and his wife reside in Rockford with his mother, and they have one son, Howard R., born 09 Feb 1895.   Charles died at the age of 10 months, and Hattie died at the age of 14 months.

Mr. ALLEN continued to work at his trade until 1892, when he gave up business on account of ill health and lived retired for about 11 years.  On 09 Feb 1904 he died at his home on Harlem Avenue.  He was never an office seeker but always a stanch republican, and took an active interest in the adoption of principles of the party.  He held membership in Rockford Lodge, No. 102, Free and Accepted Masons, and in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and was true to the principles of those orders.  Mrs. ALLEN, her son, and his wife are all members of the State Street Baptist church, and they have one of the fine homes of the city, recently erected at No. 1107 Harlem Avenue.  Mr. ALLEN belonged to that class of citizens who form the real strength of the country, men who are industrious and reliable in business, favor public progress, and cooperate in those movements which secure the greatest good to the greatest number.  He did not seek self-aggrandizement, but sought the general welfare, and he was worthy of high respect.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.