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 by | J. Marshall Hanger |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin 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 by | Harrison Riddleberger |
| Succeeded by | Joseph B. Strayer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 19, 1838 Beaver Dam, Botetourt County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | October 31, 1889 (aged 51) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Julia McKay Gatewood
(m. 1867) |
| Parent(s) | John J. Allen Mary Payne Allen |
| Relatives | Robert Allen |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia |
| Profession | farmer, lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | infantry |
| Years of service | 1861-1862 |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Gettysburg |
Early and family life
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
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
- 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
