ALLEN-James L. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Portrait & Biographical Record, Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.

Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893 p 486,.

There are several business houses in the city of Covington that are not only thoroughly typical of the comprehensive growth and increasing importance of the place, but also distinctly a source of public pride, delineating as they do the general business enterprise and commercial sagacity of some of our leading citizens. Such a concern is that established by James L. Allen, dealer in agricultural implements and harness, and one of the most thorough going, enterprising business men in the city. Mr. Allen was born on a lot where he is now engaged in business, May 24, 1845 and is a son of Joseph Allen, who settled in this city in October 1838. He was a harness maker and followed that trade in Covington many years. He was born in Linglestown, Dauphin Co PA 12 miles east of Harrisburg June 16, 1814 and died Feb 17, 1877. He had always followed the harness making business and was a man of more than the ordinary business acumen. On the 7th of Nov 1841 he was united in marriage in Wayne County Indiana to Miss Mary Jane McFadden of Richmond. She died Aug 1863 when 38 years of age, her husband never married again. Their children were: James L, Viola, Mrs. MF Steeley of Covington and Frank, a painter. Mr. Allen was elected County Commissioner in 1876 by 900 majority, but died before entering upon the duties of the office. He had invested quite extensively in farm land and city property, owning a farm of 400 acres and was one of the foremost men of the community. He continued in the harness business until 1861 when he turned it over to his son, James L on 6 Sept of that year. James L. Allen began learning the harness making business at an early age, but his educational advantages were not interfered with in any way. He attended the schools of Covington and subsequently entered the military school at Clinton Indiana where he remained one year. This was in the fall of 1861. Since then he has been engaged in business in this city and is one of the foremost business men of the place. He owns a fine brick building 44 x 100 feet, two stories and a basement and is also the owner of 3 good farms, all near Covington and consisting of 700 acres of excellent land. He is engaged in farming in connection with his business, and ships his stock to different parts of the country. All his enterprices have succeeded and everything seems to prosper before his hands. In 1878,a fter a fierce canvass, Mr. Allen was elected Circuit Clerk with about 500 majority over the candidates of the Democratic and Independent party, although the county then had about 200 Democratic majority. He was a most efficient official and upon himself and his constituents was reelected to the same office in 1882. mr. Allen celebrated his nuptial with MIss Lorrissa Campbell on 7 March 1866. She was a native of Fountain County born at Newtown and was the daughter of Abram Campbell, one of the representative citizens of the county and a pioneer of the same. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born an itnersting family of 4 children - Grace, the wife of Granville Adkins who is an ex-liveryman of Covington; Helen, a graduate of the schools of Covington in the class of 1892; James Jr. and Russell C. Mr. Allen has displayed excellend judgment and more than ordinary business acumen. He gives almost his entire attention and thought to his business enterprises is careful and exact in his transcations and has the pleasantest relations with his patrons and the general public.