Goodspeed Biography of William G. Allen

Maj. William G. Allen, a stirring citizen of Rhea County. and a resident of Dayton, is a native of Alabama, born in that State October 21, 1836. He is the son of Valentine and Ann (Frazier) Allen, both of Scotch-Irish descent. The father’s ancestors were early settlers of South Carolina, but he was born in Bedford County, Tenn., July 19, 1809, is still living, and is a resident of Dayton. He is seventy-eight years of age. The mother was born in Rhea County Tenn.. in September, 1815, and is still living in Dayton. They were married in Rhea County, in December, 1835, at the home of the bride’s father, Beriah Frazier, and soon after moved to Alabama, and settled at Larkinsyille, Jackson County, where they resided until the year 1840.

The father at this time took part in the Seminole war. In 1840 they immigrated to Mississippi, and settled in Tishomingo County, and two years later, on account of the feeble health of the wife, they returned to Rhea County, where they made a permanent settlement. The father has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has been rather successful. In his political views he is a Democrat, and served over two years in the Confederate States service, during the late civil war. He was captured in Rhea County, and spent two months in the Nashville penitentiary and two months in the Louisville penitentiary. The remainder of the two years he passed in Camp Chase, Ohio. He, with his wife and all the children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Our subject is the eldest of eight children, of whom there were seven sons and one daughter. Our subject secured a good academic education in his youth. and farming has been his chief occupation in life. He began life for himself as a farm hand, and in 1855 settled on a farm, as a renter, in the Seventh Civil District, it being four years before he was able to own & small farm. In 1859 he purchased a farm of 100 acres at a cost of $1,500, and here began a singularly prosperous life. In December of the same year he married Miss Mary E. Thomison, a native of Roanoke County. Va., born July 20, 1837. and the daughter of William P. and Nancy J. Thomison, who immigrated to Rhea County in 1843. The marriage of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of four children, two sons and two daughters: John G., born March 3, 1866, Edward M., born March 3, 1869 (both born the same month and same day); Mary E., born December 10, 1875, and Winnie G., born December 16, 1878.

In the spring of 1861 he entered the Confederate Army, enlisting in Company D, Fifth Tennessee Regiment. Col. J. G. M. Montgomery being captain of the company, and G. W. McKenzie, colonel. He enlisted as a private, and was made adjutant of the Fifth Regiment in 1862. He received seven wounds during the war, the first at Richmond. Ky.. the second at Bardstown. Ky.. and three at Chickamauga Creek. one through the left breast, one through the left arm and one through the right leg. He was also wounded at Buckhorn Bridge, below Atlanta. Ga., and at Bentonville, N. C. He returned home to Rhea County in May, 1865, after an absence of over four years, and resumed his agricultural pursuits.

In 1860 he was duly elected trustee of Rhea County, and was also made a deputy register, filling both offices until he resigned to enlist in the war, where for gallant conduct during the battle of Chickamauga be was made major.

Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co 1887