Allen, James M.

Born: 1803-XX-XX Kentucky

Flourished: Springfield, Illinois

Allen lived in Sangamon County, Illinois, as early as 1845. In 1850, he and his family lived in Springfield, where James was employed as a merchant. In 1856, Allen identified with the American Party and served as an elected delegate to their national convention. By 1858, he had identified as against the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and united with Whigs and Republicans who opposed the Democratic Party. In 1860, the family had moved to rural western Sangamon County, where James was a farmer, and owned $9,000 worth of real estate and $2,000 worth of personal property.

Ex Parte Hinkle, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009), http://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Details.aspx?case=138982; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Sangamon County, IL, 211; Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 18 January 1856, 2:4; 23 January 1856, 1:4; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 8 July 1856, 2:3; 24 August 1858, 3:1; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Sangamon County, IL, 140.