Henry C. Allen (Virginia politician)

Henry Clay Allen (March 19, 1838 – October 31, 1889) was a Virginia lawyer and politician. He represented Shenandoah County in the Virginia House of Delegates, and served as that body's Speaker from 1877 until 1879.

Henry C. Allen
Allen (c. 1875)
32nd Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office
1877–1879
Preceded byJ. Marshall Hanger
Succeeded byBenjamin W. Lacy
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Shenandoah County
In office
December 1, 1875 – December 2, 1879
Serving with Joseph B. Strayer, David S. Henkel
Preceded byHarrison Riddleberger
Succeeded byJoseph B. Strayer
Personal details
BornMarch 19, 1838
Beaver Dam, Botetourt County, Virginia, U.S.
DiedOctober 31, 1889(1889-10-31) (aged 51)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Julia McKay Gatewood
(m. 1867)
Parent(s)John J. Allen
Mary Payne Allen
RelativesRobert Allen
Alma materUniversity of Virginia
Professionfarmer, lawyer
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Branch/serviceinfantry
Years of service1861-1862
Battles/warsBattle of Gettysburg

Early and family life

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Henry C. Allen was a middle son born at Beaver Dam, Botetourt County, Virginia, to lawyer and former Congressman, then Judge John J. Allen. His uncle Robert Allen also was a Congressmen.

On January 24, 1867, he married Julia McKay Gatewood.

Career

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During the American Civil War, he, his brothers and cousins all enlisted in the Confederate States Army.

After the war, Allen returned to the Shenandoah Valley, where his grandfather had practiced law as well as served as a judge.

Voters elected him to represent Shenandoah County in the Virginia House of Delegates. When Democrat Grover Cleveland became president, Allen was the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia from 1885 until 1889.

References

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  • Virginia House of Delegates Clerk's Office. "Henry Clay Allen". House History. Virginia House of Delegates Clerk's Office. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  • List of former Speakers of the House of Delegates, in the old House chamber in the Virginia State Capitol
  • The Political Graveyard