Allen, James, was born in Clark county, Kentucky, June 1, 1802, and is the son of Joseph Allen, born in New Jersey in 1764, and of Irish decent, and Frances Wright-Allen, born in Loudon County, Va., in 1766, and of Scotch origin. Joseph Allen moved with his parents from New Jersey to Loudon County, Va., where he met and was married to Frances Wright in 1787, by whom he had ten children, six now living, viz.: William W., born December 16, 1790, who was a soldier in the war of 1812; David, born in 1794; Douglass, born in 1799; James June 1, 1802; Louisa, 1804, and Joseph Allen, born December 20, 1812; he was a Revolutionary soldier, and was present at the surrender of the British army under Lord Cornwallis. He was then but a boy of sixteen years, but had that spirit of freedom implanted in his breast which he inherited from his Irish forefathers. The subject of this sketch came to this county in 1847, and settled on Section 5, Monroe Township, where he yet resides. He was first married in 1823, in Montgomery County, Ky., to Sarah Gilkey, to whom were born Charles E. and William W. Allen, both living. Mrs. Allen died in Clark County, Ky. He was again married April 22, 1828, in Clark County, Ky., to Margaret Brattin, daughter of Robert and Ann Brattin, natives of Virginia, where Mrs. Allen was born, in Rockbridge County, January 15, 1807; they hae had seven children born to them, viz., Sarah, Ann (deceased), Malissa F. (deceased), Louisa, Elizabeth, Mary, Robert W. and James M. Allen. The last two mentioned were soldiers in the Union army. Politically, Mr. Allen is a Republican; he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He now owns 257 acres of land, well improved, and stands among the best farmers of the county. Is President of the Greencastle and Crawfordsville Gravel-road, a position that he has filled capably and honestly. See portrait in group of representative citizens.