JUDGE WILLIAM J. ALLEN, L.L.B., of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. In presenting to the readers of this volume the biography and portrait of Judge Allen, we are perpetuating the features and life work of one of Sangamon County's most honored residents. Throughout a long, honorable and influential career, he has maintained that energy and integrity which characterized his earlier years. Nor has his success been merely in accumulating wealth, but in the better sense of the word he has been successful in serving others, in doing good and in winning the respect and esteem of a very large circle of acquaintances. Laborious and patient, exhibiting by his life his self-reliant spirit and strong individuality, the influence he unconsciously exerts has a future as well as a present bearing upon the well-being of the community.

The record of the life of Willis Allen, the father of Judge Allen, is one of which his descendants may justly be proud. Possessed of that sturdy self-reliance, indefatigable industry and legal ability which was later so abundantly evinced by the one of whom we write, he became eminent in the political circles of Southern Illinois. A native of Tennessee, which had been the home of the Allen family for many years, Willis Allen was born in December, 1806, and in his native State was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Joiner. In 1830 he removed to the southern part of Illinois, to what was then Franklin County, and commenced farming. His popularity was such that he was soon elected Sheriff of the county, and filled that position to the satisfaction of those who elected him. One honor followed another in rapid succession. As Representative and State Senator, he became well known to all the prominent legislators of the State, and by that body was elected in 1841 State's Attorney for the Circuit. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, and of Congress from 1851 until 1855.

In connection with his other duties, Willis Allen read law and was admitted to practice at the bar of the State of Illinois. In this, as elsewhere, he succeeded admirably, and at the time of his death was serving as Judge of the Circuit Court. He passed from the busy scenes of earth in April, 1859, while his wife, who was born in 1807 survived him three years, dying in 1862. They left a family of five children, three of whom were sons and two daughters. Among them was our subject, who was born June 9, 1829, in Wilson County, Tenn., and was brought by his parents to Illinois when an infant. His education was received at a boarding school which was in the charge of B. G. Roots, and experienced educator of Perry County. After completing his studies he attended the Law School of Louisville, Ky., and was graduated with the Class of '49.

Soon afterward the Judge entered upon his brilliant career as a lawyer in Illinois, locating first in Metropolis, where he remained three years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Williamson County in 1853, and practiced in Marion until 1854, when he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature. In the spring of 1855 he was appointed United States District Attorney for this district, with office at Springfield. In 1859 he resigned that position to resume the practice of law at Marion, and in the same year was elected Circuit Judge, succeeding his father, and holding that office until December, 1861, when he became a member of the Constitutional Convention. In the spring of 1862, Mr. Allen was elected to Congress from what was then the Ninth, and now the Twentieth and part of the Nineteenth District, remaining in Congress until 1865, and serving on the Committee on Claims, where he did a vast amount of work, and also on the Committees on Territories and Commerce.

Next we find Judge Allen located at Cairo, Ill., where he remained until 1874 and whence he removed to Carbondale. While residing in Cairo, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1870; this body drafted the present Illinois Constitution which was adopted in 1870. He also served in this body as a member of the Judiciary Committee, and Chairman of the Committee on Bill of Rights. During his residence in Cairo and Carbondale, Mr. Allen devoted his attention to the practice of his chosen profession, being employed by Gov. Beveridge to prosecute the Williamson County vendetta. This delicate and dangerous service he performed with fearlessness and distinguished ability, convicting all the leaders and restoring peace to the community. In 1886 he removed from Carbondale to Springfield, his practice being largely in the Federal Court in this city. In June of that year he formed a partnership with C. C. Brown & Son, the firm name being Allen, Brown & Brown. This partnership was continued until our subject was appointed in 1887, to his present Judgeship. Through the entire course of his active life, Judge Allen has been a Stanch member of the Democratic party, but his other duties now prevent him from taking an active part in political matters. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity.

The marriage of Judge Allen and Miss Anna McKeen, of Maryland, was celebrated in December, 1858. Mrs. Allen is the daughter of Hugh Blair and Ursula McKeen, and was born in 1840. Her parents were native of Pennsylvania, and are now deceased. Of the union of Judge Allen and his estimable wife six children were born, five of whom are now living, namely: Willis, Miriam, Robert M., Louise and John B. All are at home with their parents, making a most attractive and happy family, and are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, to which the Judge and his wife also belong. Taking it all in all, the life of Judge Allen furnishes an excellent example for the young, and it is to such as he that our country owes the prosperity which now distinguishes it.