Goodspeed Biography of Nicholas Q. Allen

Nicholas Q. Allen, a lawyer of Rhea County, and a resident of Darwin, was born in Rhea County April 17, 1830, son of Valentine and Ann (Frazier) Allen. For further particulars of parents see sketch of V.C. Allen. Our subject is one of a large family of children. He received his primary education in the common schools, and subsequently attended the Academy at Decatur, Meigs County. He first. followed agricultural pursuits on his father’s plantation, and afterward selected the law for his profession. In the fall of 1872, he entered the law department of the Cumberland University at Lebanon, but on account of failing health was obliged to retire from the class before graduation. He afterward completed his studies in the office of an elder brother, V. C. Allen, of Dayton, Tenn. In June, l878, he obtained license to practice and since that date has followed his profession in Tennessee.

September 2, 1875, he married Miss Susan C. Paine, daughter of Orville Paine, who at one time was an influential citizen of Rhea County. He was of Irish extraction. The result of our subject’s marriage was the birth of two daughters: Kittie M., born July 9. 1876. and Helen B., born November 1,1882.  Mr. Allen is a decided Democrat, and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, having served the church as steward for the last six years, and has been sent as a delegate to several annual conferences. Mrs. Allen is a member of the same church.

In 1885-86 our subject was chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of the Third Congressional District. In 1884 he was commissioned special chancellor by Gov. Bate, to hold the chancery court of Bledsoe and Sequatchie Counties. He is a man of commanding appearance, being six feet and three inches in height. He is a stanch Prohibitionist, and is doing much to aid the cause. In May, 1893, he located at Darwin, having commenced the practice of law at Washington ten years previous.

Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co 1887