Born in County Antrim, Ireland, Jan. 23, 1817, though reared in Warren County, Ohio, and in that county was educated. To his parents, Hugh and Catherine (Davidson) Allen, were born nine children. The mother died in 1838, and the father in 1853, in Warren County. Ohio, to which place he had emigrated from Ireland. The sons, three in number, were all carpenters by trade. Our subject remained in Warren County, Ohio, until 1839, working on the farm in summer and attending school in the winter. He made a trip to Des Moines County, Iowa, in that year, in company with John and David Thompson, and purchased 270 acres of land, 110 being in Franklin and 160 in Flint River Township. They returned to Ohio that year, remaining until April, 1842, when the three young men returned, together with Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, and began improving the land. Mr. Allen sold his interest in the 110-acre tract and returned to Ohio in November, 1843, but in August, 1844, once more came to this county, having previously made a trade for the 160 acres of land which are still in his possession, and comprise one of the best farms in the township, though when he became the owner there were no improvements whatever. After getting the land under cultivation Mr. Allen began to look about for some one with whom to share the pleasures and trials of life, and on the 28th of June, 1846. he was married to Miss Nancy Wassom, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Allen has always taken a warm interest in public affairs. In 1866 he was elected to fill the unexpired term of Benjamin Darwin in the State Legislature, and in the fall of 1867 was reelected for a full term. During his term of service he was one of the leading men in the House and had much influence in the councils of his party, showing decided ability for legislative duties. Firm in his convictions of duty, he was an earnest supporter of the laws of the State and everything which he believed to be right. During his earlier years Mr. Allen was a Douglas Democrat, but during the dark days of the Rebellion he was loyal to the cause of the Union, and many times his voice has been heard appealing to the people to stand by the old flag. Since those days he has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and it was by that party he was sent to the Legislature. In the year 1852 Mr. Allen was elected Justice of the Peace, having filled that position for more than half of the time since; his decisions have always been guided by the law and evidence in the case and have never been reversed. Mr. Allen has been instrumental in the advancement of many public enterprises, and has also given much time and attention to the management of his farm, and is thoroughly familiar with farm life in all its details. He is in sympathy with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, but is not a member. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are highly respected and honored citizens, whose neighbors and friends speak of them in no stinted terms of praise.