Biography - W. C. Allen

Honorable W. C. Allen is a native of this county, and a son of John and Sarah Mercer Allen, descending from the West family. His paternal grandfather Nesbit Allen was an early settler of this section, floating down the Ohio River and landing at Trinity in its palmy days, and before Illinois was a state. He was also one of the earliest educators of this county. His children were John (2), who married Mary Sarah Mercer, 1835. Their children were William Copeland and Malissa. The latter married John Martin, and they left one daughter, a Mrs. Holzhouser. Minerva (2) married Thomas Mercer (see West). Malinda (2) married William and Sarah (2) married Samuel (both see Copeland). Emma (2) married John Eikins. Another daughter married a Mr. Eggleston. W. C. was born 1843 and was raised by his uncle, his parents having died when he was quite young. He enlisted in the Federal Army when a mere youth and served till the close of the Civil War. His experience during these years taught him a great many things and among them, that an education was necessary land he immediately began the task of acquiring one. He was a teacher for the county several years, was elected sheriff in 1878, and a representative of the 51st district to the State Legislature in 1884. He went to Washington, D. C. about 1894 as an employee of the house of Representatives and still resides there. He is a strong republican, a mason and a member of the M. E. Church. He married Francis, (see Calhoun). Mrs. Allen died in 1920.

Extracted from 1925 History of Johnson County written by Mrs. P. T. Chapman, page 323