Page:One of a thousand.djvu/31

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ALLEN. ALLEN. >7 last half-century, always advocating- the liberal and thorough education of both sexes, and ready to introduce into his own school whatever proved to be sound in theory and useful in practice. This school, with its industrial department at the home- stead in Med field, draws students from a wide region — the last enrollment showing boys and girls from seventeen of the United States, from Cuba, Buenos Ayres, Spain and Italy. During a busy life in the class-room, Mr. Allen has held many other positions of responsibility and trust ; he has been pres- ident of the board of direction of Pomroy Newton Home for Orphans and Destitute Girls ever since it was founded, sixteen years ago ; he was trustee of the Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons, and a member of the committee of examination in natural science at Harvard. In 1S69 Mr. Allen went abroad, and spent about two years in studying the school systems of England, Scotland, Ire- land, France, Italy, Austria, and, in par- ticular, what is now included in the German Empire. This he did under the authority of the United States government, having been appointed an agent of the commis- sioner of public education, by Hon. Henry Barnard. The results of his observations of the secondary schools, gymnasia, real- and volks-schulen of Prussia, Saxony, and Nassau are preserved in a valuable report published and distributed by order of the secretary of the interior. Mr. Allen was married March 30, 1853, to Caroline Swift, daughter of James Nye and Rebecca (Freeman) Bassett, of Nan- tucket ; and of their children, Fanny Bas- sett, Sarah Caroline, and Lucy Ellis are living ; Nathaniel Topliff, their son, died in 1865. Mr. Allen was a Garrisonian abolitionist, and an officer of the society when in those days it cost something to be identi- fied with men of their belief. He was many times mobbed in their company, and naturally became an early member of the Free Soil party. He is at present a director in the American Peace Society, and president of the Newton Woman's Suffrage Association. ALLEN, RICHARD BemaN, son of John and May (Eagan) Allen, was born in Tewks- bury, Middlesex county, January 25, 185 1. He was educated in the common schools of Tewksbury and the Lowell Business College. He began business as clerk in a grocery store ; remained in the business three years, and then learned a trade — watchmaker and jeweler ; was a member of the firm of Cluin & Allen for three years ; sold out, and became a member of the firm of Allen Brothers. Mr. Allen was married in Lowell. October 14, 1884, to Annie, daughter of Peter and Bridget Angulin Sheehan. Of this union are three children : Mary, Julia, and Ger- trude Allen. Mr. Allen is a member of the board of trustees of Ancient Order of Foresters ; Y. M. C. L. A. ; vice-justice Order Iron Hall ; member of the Middlesex Mechanic Association, and of the Democratic city committee ; was member of the Lowell common council 1S87 ami 1888, and was a member of the House of Representatives in 1SS9, serving on committee on public charitable institutions. Mr. Allen, while not desiring publicity, has many times been honored by his fellow citizens by their endorsement at the polls ; and to his quiet but effectual work is due, in a great measure, much of the success of his party in the " Spindle City." He is a firm believer in clear and honorable methods of political work, and has the respect of all classes, regardless of their party affiliations. ALLEN, STILLMAN BOYD, son of Hor- ace O. and Elizabeth Allen, was born September 8, 1830, at Waterborough, York county, Maine. He received his education in the acad- emies at North Yarmouth, Kennebunk and Alfred, Maine. In September, 1853, he was admitted to the bar, and practiced law in Maine until May, 1S61, when he removed to Boston, and two years later became associated with the Hon. John D. Long, who subsequently retired from the firm upon his election as governor of the State. He is now the senior member of the law firm of Allen, Long & Hemen- way (Governor Long since his retirement from congressional life having resumed his former relations). Mr. Allen has been largely engaged in jury trials, and has the reputation of winning for his clients the largest verdicts against raiiroads and other corporations ever rendered in this country. Mr. Allen was married at Kittery, Maine, September 7, 1S54, to Harriet S., daughter of Joseph and Mary Seaward. Their children are: Willis Boyd Allen, who was a partner in his father's firm for six years and has since been engaged in liter- ary pursuits, and Marion Boyd Allen. In 1 S76 — '77 Mr. Allen represented the city of Boston in the House of Represen- tatives, serving the first year upon the