ALLEN, JOHN W. (1802-5 Oct. 1887), was a railroad developer, lawyer, editor and mayor of Cleveland from 1841-43. Born in Litchfield, Conn., to John and Ursula (McCuroy) Allen, he graduated from Harvard in 1825 and came to Cleveland in 1826 to study law under Judge Samuel Cowles. In 1828 he married Anna Marie Perkins, who died a few months later. Allen married Harriet C. Mather in 1830; they had 3 children, James, William, and Louisa.
In 1831 Allen became editor of the Whig's CLEVELAND ADVERTISER. From 1832-1842 he directed the COMMERCIAL BANK OF LAKE ERIE. He funded various railroad ventures, the CLEVELAND & NEWBURGH RAILWAY in 1834; the Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad in 1835; and the Ohio Railroad Co, which failed during the Panic of 1837. He was president of the CLEVELAND INSURANCE CO. and in 1849 became president of the Society for Savings. He assisted in the incorporation of the Trinity (Episcopalian) Parish of Cleveland in 1828 and was vestryman and warden of the parish. In 1933 he incorporated the CLEVELAND LYCEUM.
Allen's public career began in 1828 when he petitioned Congress for aid to build a harbor in Cleveland. In 1832 he established the city's first board of health during the CHOLERA EPIDEMIC OF 1832. From 1831-35 he was elected president of the village of Cleveland's board of trustees. He was elected to the Ohio Senate in 1835, and beginning 1836 served 2 terms in Congress. In 1841 Allen became Cleveland's fourth mayor. Eventually he became a Republican. In 1879 he helped form the EARLY SETTLERS ASSN. OF THE WESTERN RESERVE of Cuyahoga County. Allen died in Cleveland and is buried in the ERIE ST. CEMETERY.
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