Paris Township, Grand Rapids, Mi.
Wright C. Allen, the subject of this sketch, is a worthy descendant of one of the early pioneers of Michigan, and belongs to a family renowned in the annals of early American history. His father, Hiram H. Allen, was in many respects a remarkable man, and left the impress of his individuality indelibly stamped upon various localities of Kent county. Hiram H. Allen was native of Chittenden county, Vt., born May 14, 1804, and a near relative of Col. Ethan Allen, who gained signal fame by the capture of Fort Ticonderoga at the breaking out of the war of American independence. He came to Michigan in 1830, served as a volunteer in the Black Hawk war, and became a resident of Kent county in 1838, though he had come here for a limited period two years prior to that date. His first residence was constructed of sawed planks, an indifferent affair, one of the first dwelling in this section of the county. This house, which was occupied by the family many years, stood on the main thoroughfare leading to Kalamazoo and was frequently used as a stopping place by the traveling public during the early days of the county. A part of the original structure is still standing, and incorporated into a dwelling where the immediate subject of this review now resides. Of Hiram Allen, and the part he took in developing Kent county, much might be written. By trade a tanner, he abandoned that vocation upon settling in Michigan, and turned his attention to farming and lumbering, in both of which he met with gratifying success. He was a true type of the rugged pioneer of seventy years ago, strong, industrious and fearless, and possessed unusual powers of mind which made him a valuable man in the community, as he was frequently consulted by the early settlers in matters of law and business, and for many years held important official positions. For thirty years he was a justice of the peace in Paris township, being chosen to that office at the first election, which was held under his own roof. It is also a fact worthy of note that he officiated at the first wedding ceremony ever held in the township, the contracting parties being Charles Kelly and Emeline Clark, the latter of whom is still living where their marriage was celebrated, in the township of Gaines, at that time included in Paris. During his long incumbency, Mr. Allen became widely and favorably known, and the justice and impartiality of his decisions attracted numerous litigants to his court.
Wright C. Allen, the subject of this sketch, is a worthy descendant of one of the early pioneers of Michigan, and belongs to a family renowned in the annals of early American history. His father, Hiram H. Allen, was in many respects a remarkable man, and left the impress of his individuality indelibly stamped upon various localities of Kent county. Hiram H. Allen was native of Chittenden county, Vt., born May 14, 1804, and a near relative of Col. Ethan Allen, who gained signal fame by the capture of Fort Ticonderoga at the breaking out of the war of American independence. He came to Michigan in 1830, served as a volunteer in the Black Hawk war, and became a resident of Kent county in 1838, though he had come here for a limited period two years prior to that date. His first residence was constructed of sawed planks, an indifferent affair, one of the first dwelling in this section of the county. This house, which was occupied by the family many years, stood on the main thoroughfare leading to Kalamazoo and was frequently used as a stopping place by the traveling public during the early days of the county. A part of the original structure is still standing, and incorporated into a dwelling where the immediate subject of this review now resides. Of Hiram Allen, and the part he took in developing Kent county, much might be written. By trade a tanner, he abandoned that vocation upon settling in Michigan, and turned his attention to farming and lumbering, in both of which he met with gratifying success. He was a true type of the rugged pioneer of seventy years ago, strong, industrious and fearless, and possessed unusual powers of mind which made him a valuable man in the community, as he was frequently consulted by the early settlers in matters of law and business, and for many years held important official positions. For thirty years he was a justice of the peace in Paris township, being chosen to that office at the first election, which was held under his own roof. It is also a fact worthy of note that he officiated at the first wedding ceremony ever held in the township, the contracting parties being Charles Kelly and Emeline Clark, the latter of whom is still living where their marriage was celebrated, in the township of Gaines, at that time included in Paris. During his long incumbency, Mr. Allen became widely and favorably known, and the justice and impartiality of his decisions attracted numerous litigants to his court.
Paris Township, Grand Rapids, Mi.
Wright C. Allen, the subject of this sketch, is a worthy descendant of one of the early pioneers of Michigan, and belongs to a family renowned in the annals of early American history. His father, Hiram H. Allen, was in many respects a remarkable man, and left the impress of his individuality indelibly stamped upon various localities of Kent county. Hiram H. Allen was native of Chittenden county, Vt., born May 14, 1804, and a near relative of Col. Ethan Allen, who gained signal fame by the capture of Fort Ticonderoga at the breaking out of the war of American independence. He came to Michigan in 1830, served as a volunteer in the Black Hawk war, and became a resident of Kent county in 1838, though he had come here for a limited period two years prior to that date. His first residence was constructed of sawed planks, an indifferent affair, one of the first dwelling in this section of the county. This house, which was occupied by the family many years, stood on the main thoroughfare leading to Kalamazoo and was frequently used as a stopping place by the traveling public during the early days of the county. A part of the original structure is still standing, and incorporated into a dwelling where the immediate subject of this review now resides. Of Hiram Allen, and the part he took in developing Kent county, much might be written. By trade a tanner, he abandoned that vocation upon settling in Michigan, and turned his attention to farming and lumbering, in both of which he met with gratifying success. He was a true type of the rugged pioneer of seventy years ago, strong, industrious and fearless, and possessed unusual powers of mind which made him a valuable man in the community, as he was frequently consulted by the early settlers in matters of law and business, and for many years held important official positions. For thirty years he was a justice of the peace in Paris township, being chosen to that office at the first election, which was held under his own roof. It is also a fact worthy of note that he officiated at the first wedding ceremony ever held in the township, the contracting parties being Charles Kelly and Emeline Clark, the latter of whom is still living where their marriage was celebrated, in the township of Gaines, at that time included in Paris. During his long incumbency, Mr. Allen became widely and favorably known, and the justice and impartiality of his decisions attracted numerous litigants to his court.
Wright C. Allen, the subject of this sketch, is a worthy descendant of one of the early pioneers of Michigan, and belongs to a family renowned in the annals of early American history. His father, Hiram H. Allen, was in many respects a remarkable man, and left the impress of his individuality indelibly stamped upon various localities of Kent county. Hiram H. Allen was native of Chittenden county, Vt., born May 14, 1804, and a near relative of Col. Ethan Allen, who gained signal fame by the capture of Fort Ticonderoga at the breaking out of the war of American independence. He came to Michigan in 1830, served as a volunteer in the Black Hawk war, and became a resident of Kent county in 1838, though he had come here for a limited period two years prior to that date. His first residence was constructed of sawed planks, an indifferent affair, one of the first dwelling in this section of the county. This house, which was occupied by the family many years, stood on the main thoroughfare leading to Kalamazoo and was frequently used as a stopping place by the traveling public during the early days of the county. A part of the original structure is still standing, and incorporated into a dwelling where the immediate subject of this review now resides. Of Hiram Allen, and the part he took in developing Kent county, much might be written. By trade a tanner, he abandoned that vocation upon settling in Michigan, and turned his attention to farming and lumbering, in both of which he met with gratifying success. He was a true type of the rugged pioneer of seventy years ago, strong, industrious and fearless, and possessed unusual powers of mind which made him a valuable man in the community, as he was frequently consulted by the early settlers in matters of law and business, and for many years held important official positions. For thirty years he was a justice of the peace in Paris township, being chosen to that office at the first election, which was held under his own roof. It is also a fact worthy of note that he officiated at the first wedding ceremony ever held in the township, the contracting parties being Charles Kelly and Emeline Clark, the latter of whom is still living where their marriage was celebrated, in the township of Gaines, at that time included in Paris. During his long incumbency, Mr. Allen became widely and favorably known, and the justice and impartiality of his decisions attracted numerous litigants to his court.
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