JOHN H. ALLEN, superintendent of public instruction of Bedford County, was born November 19, 1848, son of William and Elizabeth (Ray) ALLEN. The parents were born in 1824 and 1827, respectively. The ancestors of our subject emigrated from Smith County, Tenn., to Illinois, and after remaining there some time move to Bedford County, where our subject was born. William ALLEN was a tiller of the soil and the father of five children – four of whom were reared to maturity. These are Isaac S., Sarah, James E., and John H. The father was a pious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a respected citizen of the county in which he lived. His death, which occurred in 1874, was universally regretted by all who knew him. Since the death of her husband Mrs. ALLEN has been living with the subject of this sketch. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Our subject, at the age of nineteen, left the farm and, having had the advantage of a good English education, chose school-teaching as his profession. He has given the best of satisfaction where he has taught, and is considered quite a success as an educator. In 1885 he was elected superintendent of public schools of Bedford County, and by his energy and untiring zeal has done much to further the advancement of the schools of the county. November 10, 1881, he married Miss Susan E. HOBBS, and two children have bless this union: Lora V. and Ewitt P. Mr. ALLEN is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which he has been a steward for eight or ten years.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Source: Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.