Rutland County

ALLEN, John Clarence

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

John Clarence ALLEN, of Brooklyn, New York, son of Rufus C. and Sabrina 
(YORK) ALLEN, was born 28 July 1848 at Wallingford [Rutland County, Vermont]. 
Mr. ALLEN is from an ancestry distinguished in religious constancy. His 
mother and her ancestors for generations were Baptists; while his father and 
mother were active Christians from their youth, and sang together in church 
for thirty-five years. Love of music and skill in it are family 
characteristics, no less than church work. Mr. [John Clarence] ALLEN's 
sister, Fanny, is the wife of T. J. WHITAKER, of Brooklyn [New York].

He [John Clarence ALLEN] was educated at the Wallingford high school and Black 
River Academy at Ludlow [Windsor County, Vermont], and was graduated with 
highest oratorical and other honors at Madison (now Colgate) University at 
Hamilton [Madison County], New York, in 1874. Mr. ALLEN entered upon his 
first pastorate in Newark [Essex County], New Jersey, in 1875. Success 
crowned his efforts. Following this work he served the First Church 
(Baptists) of Elizabeth [Union County], New Jersey, for five and a half 
years, performing loyal work, baptizing many and raising the church. The 
earnest call of the Hanson Place Baptist Church drew Mr. ALLEN to Brooklyn. 
Here his tireless devotion and energy found wide scope. During the summer 
and fall of 1885 he remodeled the main audience room and erected lecture and 
Sunday school rooms, fitting them with essential modern appliances for church 
work. In the first year of the pastorate the entire church debt was pledged 
and paid off, amounting to $40,000. During Mr. ALLEN's ministry thus far he 
has baptized over five hundred souls, and has been the means of securing over 
$125,000 for the use of the Baptist denomination, and has borne an honorable 
part in the formation and work of the Brooklyn Baptist Extension Society.

His activity in temperance and other reform work has been highly commendable. 
He was a delegate at the national Prohibition convention, at Cincinnati 
[Hamilton County, Ohio] in 1892. To many social organizations he has lent 
his earnest support and membership. Among them are the Phi Beta Kappa 
Society of New York; the American Institute of Civics; Metropolitan Museum of 
Art; Brooklyn Baptist Social Union; Brooklyn Society of Vermonters; and the 
New York Alumni Association of Colgate University, of which he is president. 
Mr. [John Clarence] ALLEN was married in 1874 to Julia I., daughter of Rev. 
Charles T. and Irene (BUELL) JOHNSON.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly