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- Bio in Canadian Parliamentary Companion Pg 83: ALLEN, BENJAMIN.(North Grey). Son of William Allen, a descendant of Richard Allen, an Englishman who settled in Sligo, Ireland in 1670. Born in Sligo 1830, and came to Canada in 1850. Went to Australia in 1852 and returned in 1856. Married in 1857, Mary, eldest daughter of J. Crothers, Esq., of Banbridge, Ireland [Co Down]. Is a merchant. Has been a member of the Owen Sound Town Council several times, and was License Commissioner from 1876 to 1882.
- From WIKIPEDIA: Benjamin Allen (1830 '96 December 23, 1912) was a Canadian politician and retail merchant. Born in Sligo, Ireland, the son of William Allen who was of English descent, Allen first came to Canada in 1850. ... He was elected in 1882 to the House of Commons of Canada as a member of the Liberal Party representing the riding of Grey North.
- From John Rutledge Shannon: In 1852, Ben went looking for land with his cousins, William and Robert Shannon. He chose L14 C12 Artemesia Twp, Grey Co [Ontario, Canada], but gave it up and went to Australia. He came back and opened a store in Owen Sound. Later he went into politics.
- Obituary - OWEN SOUND SUN - 24 Dec 1912
MR. BEN ALLEN PASSES AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY
One of Owen Sound's Most Prominent Men Died Last Evening at G. & M. Hospital
The news of the sudden death last evening about nine o'clock of Mr. Benjamin Allen in the General and Marine Hospital, came as a shock to his many friends throughout Owen Sound and vicinity. Up to a week ago Saturday Mr. Allen was in his usual good health, but feeling somewhat indisposed on Sunday he was advised to go to the hospital. Throughout the week his condition was not considered serious and at 8.45 last evening he was bright, and conversed freely with his daughter who had come to see him, telling her to go home and not to stay out too late. The end came shortly after she had gone, failure of the heart being the immediate cause of death.
The late Mr. Ben Allen was born in the county of Tipperary*, Ireland [NOTE: He was born in Theur, County Sligo] in Sept, 1830 and spent his boyhood there. When still a young man he came ta Canada and settled in Weston, Ontario. The discovery of gold in Australia, led Mr. Allen to venture to that land of promise and together with a friend, set out for the gold fields.
Coming hack to Canada, Mr. Allen again went to Weston* [Artesmia Twp, Grey Co] and later moved to Owen Sound in, 1857. He went into a mercantile business on Union Street and later was a member of the firm of Allen and Scully in the Parker block on Poulette St. He retired from business some years ago and for several years has been Clerk of the Division Court. Mr. Allen was for three or four years a member of the town council and for one term represented North Grey as Liberal member In the House of Commons.
He took an active part in bringing the G. T. R. [Grand Trunk Railway] in here and the station, Ben Allen, was named in his honor. He was also interested in the Meaford railway proposition and was secretary of the Simcoe, Grey and Bruce Railway Company.
Mr. Allen was an active worker in the Methodist Church, especially in Sunday School work and for about twenty years was Superintendent of Scrope St. Methodist Sunday School. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees.
Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Will, of Rochester and James of Toronto, and one daughter, Miss Kate, of New York. Arrangements for the funeral have not as yet been completed.
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Singing Our Family Song
1830 - 1912 (82 years)
