BIO: John J. ALLEN, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 223-225. _________________________________________________________________ DR. JOHN J. ALLEN, a gentleman of high educational attainments, and a well-known educator for many years, has achieved particular success in the field of medicine, having a large and lucrative practice in Monaca and vicinity. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Wiley) Allen, and was born in County Meath, Ireland, February 22, 1859. Robert Allen, the father of John J., was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and was the youngest son of a family of thirteen children. He was fortunate in his boyhood, as he was given a good education to fit him for the station of a country gentleman. After his marriage and the birth of the subject of this sketch, the family met with reverses, and he came to the United States, settling in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Wiley, who was born and educated in County Meath, Ireland, and they became the parents of three children: John J., the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this narrative; Robert Ii., a farmer by vocation; and Emily K. W. (Moore). The two last named were born after Mr. Allen moved to this country. Dr. John J. Allen, who was three months old when he was brought to this country by his parents, has risen to a high station in life 224 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES entirely through his individual efforts. A series of adverse events prevented his family from giving him an education, and at the immature age of eight and one-half years, he left home to seek a livelihood, obtaining a position on the farm of D. W. Scott. He was very ambitious and remained with him until he was nineteen years of age, working upon the farm during his summer months and attending school during the winter. Dissatisfied with the life he was leading, and feeling confident that better things were in store for him if he would but strive for them, he became impressed with the necessity of a good education. He gave tip farming and entered Piersol's Academy, taking a normal course in order to fit himself for a teacher's work. He was subsequently a teacher in the New Sewickley township schools, for one year, principal of the schools of Industry, for two years, and then principal of the North Ward School of New Brighton, for two years; at the same time he was instructor in the night school, - working hard and conscientiously. Giving up teaching for the time being, he entered Geneva College, at Beaver Falls, taking an eclectic course, during which time he competed for a permanent state certificate, and was successful. He was elected principal of the Glenfield schools of Allegheny county, Pa., and at the same time finished a business curriculum in Curry University of Pittsburg, - also serving as bookkeeper in the music store of Mellor & Hohne. This is but one evidence of the industrious life he has led, but with eyes fixed upon the distant goal, which he was slowly but surely approaching, he would allow no obstacle to stop him. He was re-elected principal of the Glenfield schools and also of the Bellevue schools, and chose the latter connection as being the more desirable of the two. For three years he was the incumbent of that position, also teaching night school in New Brighton. During the latter part of this period, he desired to satisfy his ambition to become a physician, and read medicine under the tutelage of Dr. James McCann. He then entered the medical department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, and after his graduation in 1890, began practice at Phillipsburg, now Monaca. His choice of fields was a wise one as there is no borough in the state in a more flourishing condition or one which gives more promise of future growth. He has since been located there and his practice has grown apace with the town, his patients including many of the best citizens of the community. As he was eminently successful as an educator, so has he been as a doctor. He at once won the confidence of the citizens in a professional way, and they have since become his friends. Dr. Allen was joined in hymeneal bonds with Jeannette N. Armstrong, a native of Beaver county, and a daughter of John Armstrong, of Brighton township. She is an accomplished musician and art student, having pursued a course at the Pittsburg School of Design. They have two children: Harold A., born December 24, 1895; and Jeannette Juay, born December 26, 1898. The residence in which the Doctor lives is the finest on the BEAVER COUNTY 225 south side, and is a feature of the town. It is a handsome three-story building of fourteen rooms, being constructed of buff brick. Its interior is beautiful, - finished in hardwood and equipped with all modern arrangements for comfort and fine appearance. The Doctor's office is on the Eighth street side of the building. He is a public-spirited man and is anxious to see the town progress, - taking an active interest in all its affairs. He was one of the hardest workers in obtaining the bridge across the Ohio, and he is now a stockholder in the bridge company. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, and has been a member of the school board for seven years. He is borough physician, holds a position on the poor board, and is a member of the staff of the Beaver Valley Hospital. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian and has been an elder ever since he has been in the borough. Fraternally, he belongs to the following orders: Royal Arcanum; Woodmen of the World; Knights of Pythias; and Rochester Lodge, F. & A. M. His portrait, in connection with this sketch, is shown on a foregoing page.