Allen, Thomas M.

Born: 1797-10-21 Virginia

Died: 1871-10-10 Columbia, Missouri

Allen was a pastor and evangelist who figured prominently in the Restoration Movement (Christian Church, Church of Christ) in Missouri. He served in the Virgina Militia during the War of 1812. After his discharge from service in 1815, Allen studied law at Transylvania University, and in 1818, he married Rebecca Russell. He moved from his native state west, first to Indiana, and later to Kentucky, where he intended to practice law. In Fayette County, Kentucky, a hotbed of the Restoration Movement, Allen heard Barton W. Stone preach, and became interested in religion. Stone baptized Allen in 1823, and he received ordination into the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shortly thereafter. He commenced preaching in Fayette and Bourbon counties, establishing several churches. In 1836, he moved from Fayette County to Boone County, Missouri. He undertook evangelistic work throughout Missouri and Kentucky, establishing new churches and strengthening those that were struggling. Allen also found time to engage in business, amassing $10,000 in real estate by 1850. In addition, he took an avid interest in public and civic affairs, particularly education. In 1839, 1840, and 1864, he served as president of the board of curators for the University of Missouri. In 1851, he was instrumental in getting the Missouri General Assembly to charter a "Female Collegiate Institute" in Columbia.

Gravestone, Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, MO; "An Act to Charter a Female College," 18 January 1851, Laws of the State of Missouri (1851), 310-12; History of Boone County, Missouri (St. Louis, MO: Western Historical, 1882), 232, 261; Who was Who in America Historical Volume 1607-1896 (Chicago: Marquis, 1963), 20; H. Leo Boles, Biographical Sketches of Gospel Preachers (Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate, 1932), 81-85; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Boone County, MO, 390; War of 1812 Pension Applications, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15, NARA Microfilm Publication M313, 102 rolls, National Archives, Washington, DC.