Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/86

ALLEN.ALLEN. Lake Champlain with the St. Lawrence river, offering to cut it at his own expense if the British would allow him to collect tonnage. He at this time (1786) was an enthusiastic promoter of the plan to cut a canal between the southern waters of the lake and the head waters of the Hudson river. His official connection with the state closed in 1790 with the settlement of the controversy with New York. In 1789 he presented to the legislature a memorial for the establishment of the Vermont university, and with it a subscription list of £5643, of which he contributed £4000; the charter being granted Nov. 3, 1790. In 1795 he went to Europe in the interest of his canal project and with a commission from the governor to purchase arms for the state. The British cabinet treated his project with scant encouragement, and he went to France. After purchasing the arms for the State he sent them to the United States. The ship was captured by the British, and the cargo confiscated. He was eight years abroad seeking redress in the British courts. During this time he wrote his "History of Vermont." Meanwhile his landed property had suffered. Harassed by creditors and lawsuits he fled to Philadelphia. He married Jerusha, daughter of General Roger Enos, and died January 7, 1814. ALLEN, Ira Wilder, educator, was born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., July 5, 1827, the eldest son of the Rev. Ira Allen, pastor of a church at Potsdam for nearly fifty years, and a direct descendant of Ira Allen, the Vermont patriot. The son was taught at home and in the local seminary, and from 1843 to 1846 was employed in teaching school. He entered the sophomore class of Hamilton college in 1847, and was graduated in 1850, when he took charge of Manlius academy, New York. He was elected professor of mathematics, astronomy, and civil engineering in Antioch college, Ohio, in 1851; took an extra course in mathematics at Hamilton and Harvard colleges and studied in the Universities of Gottingen and Berlin. He also investigated the school systems while in Europe. On assuming his duties at Antioch college he found the financial affairs in poor condition. Its educational standing was excellent. He aided in founding a new college in Indiana, which he managed for the first year, and then he went to Albany, N. Y., where he studied law and was admitted to practice. His love of teaching, however, impelled him to return to the school-room, and he opened Allen academy, Chicago, Ill., in 1863. He was elected a life member of the National teachers' association, also a member of the American archœological society, and of the Astronomical society. The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him in 1874, by Union Christian college. ALLEN, James Cameron, representative, was born in Shelby county, Ky., Jan. 29, 1822; son of Benjamin and Margaret (Youell) Allen; grandson of John and Margaret (Youell) Allen, and a descendant of William Youell of Augusta county, Va., a Revolutionary soldier in the war for independence. His father was of Irish and his mother of Scotch origin. He was educated in the common schools, studied law, and was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1843. He was prosecuting attorney of the 7th judicial district of Indiana, 1846-'48; removed to Palestine, Ill., in 1848; was a representative in the state legislature, 1850 and 1851, and served as representative in the 33d and 34th congresses, 1853-'57, his seat in the 34th congress being unsuccessfully contested. He was clerk of the house for the 35th congress and again a representative from Illinois in the 38th congress, 1863-'65, having been elected from the state at large. He served as judge of the circuit and appellate court, 1873-79. ALLEN, James Lane, author, was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1849; the youngest child of Richard and Helen (Foster) Allen. He was graduated from Transylvania university with the degree of B.A., and after taking a post-graduate course was given the degree of M.A. At the age of twenty-one the death of his father necessitated his earning the support of his mother and sister by teaching in public schools, and later as a private tutor. For two years he was tutor in Transylvania university, leaving to accept the chair of Latin and higher English in Bethany college, West Virginia. There he remained two years, and then went to New York city to devote his life to literature. He became a frequent contributor to the principal magazines and reviews of the day and a well-known essayist and writer of short stories, the latter including: "Two Kentucky Gentlemen of the Old School"; "King Solomon of Kentucky"; "The White Cowl" and "Sister Dolorosa." His published works include: "Flute and Violin and other Kentucky Tales and Romances" (1891); "The Blue-Grass Regions of Kentucky, and other Kentucky Articles" (1892); "John Gray; a Kentucky Tale of the Olden Time" (1893); "A Kentucky Cardinal" (1895); "Aftermath" (1896); "A Summer in Arcady" (1896); "The Choir Invisible" (1897); "The Reign of Law" (1901); "The Mettle of the "Pasture" (1903). ALLEN, Jerome, educator, was born in Westminster, Vt., July 17, 1830; son of David and Eliza (Graves) Allen; grandson of Silas Allen of Heath, Mass., and a descendant of the Allens of Devonshire, England. He was graduated at Amherst college in 1851; studied theology at East Windsor Hill theological seminary (Hartford theological seminary), 1851-'52; was