William F. Allen
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| William F. Allen | |
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| In office January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939 |
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| Preceded by | J. George Stewart |
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| Succeeded by | George S. Williams |
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| Born | January 19, 1883 Bridgeville, Delaware |
| Died | June 14, 1946 (aged 63) Lewes, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Addie M. Davis |
| Residence | Seaford, Delaware |
| Occupation | businessman |
William Franklin "Lovebird" Allen (January 19, 1883 – June 14, 1946) was an American businessman and politician from Seaford, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U. S. Representative from Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Allen was born January 19, 1883 in Bridgeville, Delaware. He moved to Seaford, Delaware with his family in 1889, and then to Laurel, Delaware in 1903. His wife’s name was Addie M. Davis and they had three children, Robert, Franklin, and Doris.
After completing school in 1902, Allen worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as an agent, telegrapher, and train dispatcher. In 1922, he returned to Seaford, Delaware, began a real estate business, and also formed a business buying and selling fruit and produce along the Delmarva Peninsula. In 1927, Allen diversified his businesses, and founded the Allen Petroleum Corporation and the Allen Package Company.
[edit] Political career
Allen was a public school commissioner in Seaford from 1920 until 1924, and was elected to the State Senate in 1924 He was in office for the 1925/26 and 1927/28 sessions, serving as President pro tempore in the 1927/28 session. A strong supporter of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1936, defeating incumbent Republican U.S. Representative J. George Stewart. Allen lost his bid for a second term in 1938 to Republican George S. Williams, a businessman from Millsboro, Delaware. During his term, Allen was a member of the Democratic majority in the 75th Congress and served from January 3, 1937 until January 3, 1939, during the administration of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Subsequently, he resumed his work in the oil and gasoline distribution business. In 1940 he challenged both major parties and ran for the U.S. Senate as an Independent "Liberal Democrat," but received only a small number of votes.
[edit] Death and legacy
Allen died June 14, 1946 in Lewes, Delaware and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Seaford, Delaware.
[edit] Public offices
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. Members of the Delaware General Assembly take office the second Tuesday of January. The State Senate has a four year term. U.S. Representatives take office January 3rd, and have two year terms.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
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| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1924 | January 13, 1925 | January 8, 1929 | |
| U.S. Representative | Legislature | Washington | 1936 | January 3, 1937 | January 3, 1939 | at-large |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
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| 1936 | U.S. Representative | William F. Allen | Democratic | 65,485 | 52% | J. George Stewart | Republican | 55,664 | 44% | ||
| 1938 | U.S. Representative | William F. Allen | Democratic | 46,989 | 43% | George S. Williams | Republican | 60,661 | 56% |
[edit] References
- Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate.
[edit] External links
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress [1]
- Delaware’s Members of Congress [2]
- Find a Grave [3]
- Political Graveyard [4]
- William F. Allen Scrapbooks, 1830-1946 [5]
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [6] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [7] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
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