CHARLES L. ALLEN The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 568-569 Boone CHARLES L. ALLEN. No better estimate can be made of a man's character than that afforded by the regard in which he is held by those over whom he is placed in authority, especially during periods of controversy between capital and labor. Judged by this standard Charles L. Allen, president and general manager of the Mordue Colliery Company, is one of nature's noblemen and a real friend to his employes. He is liked by all classes, and has the faculty, because of his squareness, his good judgment and his knowledge of human nature, of smoothing out dif- ferences and keeping his men loyal when others, possibly just as sincere, fail to keep operating. It is frequently said that if all operators were like Charles L. Allen there would be no strikes. Charles L. Allen was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, in August, 1878, a son of Robert and Anna (Wilson) Allen, and grandson of John J. Allen, judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia, and an author of note. The great- - grandfather, Robert Allen, was judge of the Circuit Court of Virginia. The Allens are of Scotch descent, but long established in Virginia, where they have taken a com- manding part in public affairs. Robert Allen, father of Charles L. Allen, was an attorney in active practice prior to the war of the '60s, in which he served as captain of Company A, Twenty-eighth Virginia Infantry, Pickett's Division, and served until the close of the war without being either wounded or captured. Following the close of this conflict he retired to his farm, where he spent the greater part of his life, although he practiced law to a certain extent, and died in 1882. The mother is still living. Charles L. Allen attended the common schools of his native county, and took the regular course in the Buchanan High School, from which he was graduated in 1895, follow- ing which he went to the Virginia Polytechnic, and was graduated therefrom in 1899, with the degree of Civil Engineer. His first position was that of engineer with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, doing construc- tion work at Beaumont, Texas, and he held it for three years, and then came to West Virginia and was in charge of the construction work of the Chesapeake & Ohio Rail- road until 1907. Mr. Alien then went with the New River Coal Company, and had charge of their construction work done for S. H. Scott & Company, and in 1909 returned to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and was in charge of all of their construction work in Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio, and at one time was engaged on loca- tion work on their line into Chicago. In 1917 Mr. Allen came to Boone County and organized the Mordue Colliery Company, as president and general manager, and has con- ducted it ever since, having developed his property into a valuable one. During the war he, like all of the coal operators, did all he could to increase his production. In 1909 Mr. Allen married at Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia, Miss Josephine Lewis, a daughter of Joel and Susan (McDowell) Lewis, West Virginians. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have no children. They are Episcopalians. He is a Blue-Lodge Mason and is going on in his fraternity as soon as he can find time to do so. Professionally he belongs to the American Civil Engineers Society and the American Mining & Metallurgy Society. Since he east his first vote Mr. Allen has been a democrat, and while not a politician, takes a deep interest in the success of his party. Mr. Allen is not a man of many words. He prefers to express himself in deeds, and to exert his influence in a quiet, sensible way, giving his men a fair deal, and listen- ing to their requests. Experienced in his line of work, he understands its needs, its dangers and its possibilities, and can appreciate the ambitions of the miners, yet at the same time, possessing as he does their confidence, he can show them just how far he can go, and prove to them what is really his limit. The men appreciate his attitude, and are willing to meet him half way in any controversy. Were there more men like him some of the unfortunate episodes in the mining industry would have never occurred. His value to his industry and his community is of great moment, and his example cannot help but prove uplifting to both the operators and miners alike. ==== WV-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List ==== ********************************************************************** WV-FOOTSTEPS/USGENWEB NOTICE: These messages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. **********************************************************************