JAMES A. C. ALLEN, physician, New Grand Chain, is a native of Prince Edward County, Va., born July 23, 1827, a son of Sims and Margaret (Calhoun) Allen, both natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer, and was a man of great talents for one of no profession. He was well versed in the literature of the day, and was favored with comparative great wealth. His death occurred in 1870, at which time he was eighty-four years old. He was in the war of 1812. His wife, by whom he had five children, died early, when our subject was small, and he subsequently married Sally (Vaughn) Whitehead. James A. C. Allen, the subject of these lines, in his younger days was quite feeble in health, which circumstance permitted only an occasional attendance in the old subscription schools of his native county. Engaging in farming pursuits imparted new vigor to his frame, and his health was thereby greatly improved. Leaving Virginia about 1850, he traveled considerably for his health also, and in August, 1853, he located in Union County, Ill. Previous to leaving his old home, however, he had commenced the study of medicine under M. A. Bentley, M. D., of New York, who also removed to Illinois, and the two accidently met, neither one knowing that the other had wandered so far West. The two practiced together for a year or so. Dr. Bentley dying in 1854; the same year our subject went to Williamson County, Ill., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession for a period of ten years, during which time he farmed some, also being the owner of two farms. In this county, he was married, November 22, 1854, to Sarah E. Todd, a daughter of John W. and Mahala (Phillips) Todd, natives of Tennessee. About 1864, he returned to Union County, where he remained until 1873, at which date he came to Pulaski County, and has since resided here. He has a farm of eighty acres, besides his residence in Grand Chain. His family consists of three children — John S., born December 29, 1855; Margaret V., April 19, 1858, and James E., January 26, 1862. The Doctor is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Saline Lodge, No. 336. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, page 298.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
