Rutland County

ALLEN, Ira R.

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, Part II, Sons of 
Vermonters, pp 5-6 (portrait p 6)

Ira R. ALLEN, of Fair Haven [Vermont], was born 29 March 1859 in Fair Haven 
[Rutland County, Vermont], son of Ira C. and Mary E. (RICHARDSON) ALLEN. Ira 
C. ALLEN was a man of ability and was well known in the state, serving five 
terms in the state Legislature. Ira R. ALLEN obtained his early education in 
the schools of Fair Haven and in 1877 studied at Colgate Academy. He 
graduated from Brown University in 1882. His business experience has been 
varied and extensive and he has traveled in the States and upon the other 
side of the Atlantic.

From 1882 to 1884 he resided n the city of New York, and was engaged in the 
produce commission business. In 1886 he became interested in mining 
operations in Virginia, and in 1887 returned to Fair Haven where he has been 
interested in banking, slate industries, and railroads. His family has the 
practical control of the Rutland & Whitehall Railroad, and he is vice 
president of the Allen National Bank. Mr. ALLEN is the fortunate possessor 
of one of the best private mineralogical cabinets in the state. While in 
Virginia he was enabled to obtain many fine specimens of garnets, some of 
which were loaned by him for the purpose of exhibition at the World's Fair in 
Chicago.

Mr. ALLEN is a Republican and one of the most public spirited men of his 
town. He has served as selectman and was considered as an available 
candidate to place in the field for town representative in a community where 
Democratic opinions had hitherto prevailed. The position he easily won and 
served in the Legislature at the session of 1892. An ardent and enthusiastic 
member of the Masonic fraternity, he has attained the 32nd degree and 
represented Mt. Sinai Temple at Cincinnati in 1893. In religious views a 
Baptist, and though not a member of the church has always been a liberal 
supporter of all Christian enterprises.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly