Springfield-Greene
County LibraryPERRY T. ALLEN, who for four years has been a resident of Springfield, Mo., is an example of the usefulness and prominence to which men of character and determination may attain. Although young in years he is one of the most sagacious, practical and skillful attorneys of the place, has his full share of the practice, and impresses one at once as a man of great strength, depth and grasp of mind. He is a native of the Sucker State, born in Centralia, March 19, 1865, and was one of a family of children born to Houston and Elizabeth (Watts) Allen. The father was a Tennesseean by birth, but about 1830 he moved to Illinois where he cultivated the soil until his death, He was of Scotch-Irish descent, but for a number of generations his ancestors had resided in this country. The grandfather, Greenberry Allen, was one of the early pioneers of Tennessee and a prominent man in the history of that State. The maternal grandfather, Rev. Hicks Watts, was a pioneer Methodist Episcopal minister who located in the State of Illinois in 1814. The Watts family is of English origin and the first ones to cross the ocean to this country settled in Virginia and Canada. The one who settled in Virginia took part in the Revolutionary War. The father of our subject died in 1870, and six years afterward the mother followed him to the grave. Perry T. was reared by an uncle and in 1884 removed to Missouri with him. His early education was received in the schools of his native county, but after coming to Missouri, he entered the Baptist College at Bolivar, Mo., and graduated from that institution in the class of 1887. Later he took up the study of law, entered the office of Judge Neville and was admitted to the bar in Girard, Kan. He was appointed deputy clerk of the district court at that place, and there made his home until 1889, when he came to Springfield and opened an office. He has already won an enviable reputation as a lawyer and his future prospects are bright. On the lst of January, 1893, he received the appointment of assistant prosecuting attorney, and has had a number of criminal cases of importance. He has a nice practice and is doing unusually well. Like his father and grandfather before him, he affiliates with the Republican Party and is always deeply interested in political matters. He has shown his appreciation of secret organizations by becoming a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Gate of the Temple, No. 422 ; Vincil R. A., Chapter No. 110, and Palatine Commandery, No. 28, Girard, Kan., and he is also a member of the K. of P. Coronado Lodge, No. 63, also of Girard, Kan., and Mystic Division, No. 12, of the same place. Mr. Allen resides at 1813 Main Street, and his pleasant home is presided over by his most excellent wife, who was formerly Miss Jennie Wolford. She is the daughter of Samuel Wolford, of Springfield. One child has been born to this union, Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Allen attend the Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Allen is a member, and are liberal contributors to its support. Mr. Allen's professional career so far has been a decided success, and he is one of the sagacious, practical and skillful attorneys of Springfield.
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