Chittenden County

ALLEN, Joseph William

Vermont Historical Magazine, No XI, October 1867, pp 341-342

Joseph W. ALLEN, the fifth son of the late Hon. Heman ALLEN, was born in 
Milton [Chittenden County], Vermont, 17 January 1819. From his early 
childhood he was distinguished by a most generous and amiable temper, ever 
ready to yield his own interests for the benefit or pleasure of others. He 
graduated at the University of Vermont in August 1839, and soon after entered 
upon the study of law. He was admitted to the Chittenden County bar in May 
1843. He practiced in Burlington for several years and then removed his 
office to Milton, and afterwards to Richmond.

As a lawyer his professional knowledge was extensive, profound, and accurate. 
His bearing towards his brethren in the profession was always generous and 
scrupulously courteous. Though he possessed wit and humor, he seldom used 
them to the annoyance of an opponent. His pleadings at the bar were without 
display, simple, earnest, logical. He was always listened to by the court 
and jury with marked attention. During the last years of his life, in 
connection with his legal studies and practice, he edited and carried through 
the press, two important works: "Fall on Guaranty" and "Reeve's Domestic 
Relations."

His death, from congestion of the lungs, occurred at Richmond [Chittenden 
County, Vermont], 15 March 1861, at the age of forty-three. At a meeting of 
the Chittenden County bar, called the day after his death, resolutions were 
adopted expressive of their appreciation of his character, one of which is as 
follows: "Resolved, that as a man of scholarly culture, of sound legal 
knowledge and of noble generosity, we, his fellows and friends, deeply lament 
his untimely death."

But the character in which his personal friends deplore him most, and which 
will most frequently recall his memory, is that of the man. They will think 
how meek and gentle he was, how unpretending and modest, how true and steady 
in friendship, how generous to his friends, how wise and playful in mirth, 
how ready to counsel and how willing to oblige. These were the traits of 
character which drew to him the hearts of all who knew him.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly