Frank D. Allen, junior member of the well known business
firm of Bowersox & Allen, of Girard, Illinois, dealers in clothing and
gents' furnishing goods, is one of the enterprising citizens of the
northeastern section of Macoupin County. Mr. Allen was born January 3, 1865,
and is one of a family of three children torn to his parents, Jesse L. and
Rebecca (Morrow) Allen.
Jesse L. Allen was born in Greene County,
Illinois, as was his son. There he followed a milling business for a number
of years and then engaged in a grocery business. He now lives retired.
Our subject was educated in the public schools and was only 13 years of
age when he started out for himself, becoming a clerk in the dry goods house
of Atwater & Pratt. He remained with this firm until 1884, when he made a
trip to the West, where he remained two years; upon his return he settled at
Waverly, from which point he later moved to Girard, to become manager of the
Eureka Mercantile Company. He continued in this position until 1896, when he
engaged in business in Chicago for a year. In October, 1897, he returned to
Girard. His father-in-law, H. Carr of the firm of Carr & Bowersox, dying in
November of that year, Mr. Allen took charge of the Carr interests and
finally in February, 1901, he bought a half interest in the business and has
been an active member of the firm ever since. In the line of clothing and
gents' furnishings, this house carries a very large and well selected stock
which is noted for its completeness in every particular.
In politics
Mr. Allen is a Democrat in national affairs, but in local matters he votes
according to his judgment. In 1900 he was elected a city alderman, and was
re-elected in 1902. He is one of the progressive, public-spirited men of the
city.
On November 15, 1895, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with
Eva Carr, who is a daughter of the late Henry Carr, who died October 27,
1897. Mr. Carr was a very prominent citizen. Three children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, the one survivor being Vera, who was born May 20,
1902.
Fraternally, Mr. Allen is identified with Waverly Lodge,
Knights of Pythias.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 303-304.
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