John Allen (soldier)

John Allen (December 30, 1771[1][2] – January 22, 1813) was a United States politician and army officer who was killed in the War of 1812.

John Allen
Born(1771-12-30)December 30, 1771
Rockbridge County, Virginia
DiedJanuary 22, 1813(1813-01-22) (aged 41)
River Raisin, Michigan Territory
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchKentucky militia
RankColonel
Commands held1st Regiment of Riflemen
Battles/warsWar of 1812: Battle of Frenchtown
Other workState Senator, Kentucky (1807-1813)

Allen was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and moved with his father to Kentucky in 1779.[2] He went to school in Bardstown, Kentucky and studied law in Staunton, Virginia. He then returned to Kentucky to law practice in Shelbyville. He was elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1807, and served until his death.

Allen's name on the Kentucky War Memorial in Frankfort, KY
along with his fellow officers who died at the River Raisin Massacre

Early in the War of 1812, Allen raised the 1st Regiment of Riflemen to serve under General William Henry Harrison. Allen was commissioned its colonel. He was killed in action while leading his men at the Battle of Frenchtown on the River Raisin in southeast Michigan.

Allen County, Kentucky was named for him in 1815.[3] He is also honored by Allen County, Ohio, and Allen County, Indiana.

References
  • Helen Winemiller Wood. The Naming of Allen County. Lima, Ohio: Longmeier, 1984
  1. Kleber, John E., ed. (1992). "Allen, John". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Associate editors: Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  2. Lanman, Charles (2005) [1871]. "Biographical History of Michigan". The red book of Michigan; a civil, military and biographical history. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. p. 415. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
  3. The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 34.


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