For other people named Richard Allen, see Richard Allen.
Richard Allen (June 10, 1830 – May 16, 1909) was a carpenter, contractor, businessman and, after the Civil War, a Republican politician in Texas. He was elected to two terms in the Texas House of Representatives. In 1878, he was the first African American in Texas to run for statewide office, but was unsuccessful in his campaign for lieutenant governor.
Born into slavery in Richmond, Virginia, in 1830, Allen was taken to Texas as a child when his master migrated there in 1837.[1] While still enslaved, Allen gained a reputation as a skilled carpenter.
Allen first entered public service in 1867, working as an agent for the Freedmen's Bureau, a federal organization created to assist emancipated slaves.
He joined the Republican Party. In 1868, he won a seat to represent Harris and Montgomery counties in the Texas Legislature, serving in the Twelfth Legislature in 1869. He was re-elected to the Thirteenth Texas Legislature, but the election was contested. The increasingly Democratic-dominated legislature seated his Democratic opponent, Gustave Cook, instead.[2] Allen worked to improve public education and to establish state pensions for Civil War veterans. He served on the Texas House Roads and Bridges Committee.[2]
In 1870, Allen entered the race for the United States House of Representatives from his district, but withdrew his candidacy during the early part of the Republican nominating process.
In his business life, that year Allen co-founded the Bayou City Bank in Houston. In 1872 he won a street paving contract with the City of Houston.[2]
In 1878 Allen unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor; he was the first African American in Texas to run as a candidate for a statewide office. After leaving the legislature, he continued to be active in the Republican Party. He attended state and national conventions as a delegate until 1896 (for more than two and a half decades).[2]
Allen also served as a quartermaster in the Texas militia. He received a federal appointment as a US customs officer in Houston during a Republican presidential administration.
Personal lifeedit
Allen married and had five children. He was a Baptist, and was active in his church and in local community organizations.
Deathedit
Upon his death in 1909, Allen was interred at the Olivewood Cemetery in Houston.
^Alwyn Barr and Cary D. Wintz (27 June 2017). "Allen, Richard". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
^ abcdeMerline Pitre (1986). "Richard Allen: the Chequered Career of Houston's First Black Legislator" (PDF). Houston Review. 8 (2): 79–88.
Further readingedit
Texas Legislators: Past & Present - Richard Allen
Forever Free: Nineteenth Century African-American Legislators and * Constitutional Convention Delegates of Texas, Texas State Library
April 10, 2024
richard, allen, texas, politician, other, people, named, richard, allen, richard, allen, richard, allen, june, 1830, 1909, carpenter, contractor, businessman, after, civil, republican, politician, texas, elected, terms, texas, house, representatives, 1878, fir. For other people named Richard Allen see Richard Allen Richard Allen June 10 1830 May 16 1909 was a carpenter contractor businessman and after the Civil War a Republican politician in Texas He was elected to two terms in the Texas House of Representatives In 1878 he was the first African American in Texas to run for statewide office but was unsuccessful in his campaign for lieutenant governor Richard AllenTexas State Representative for District 14 Harris County In office February 8 1870 March 22 1873Succeeded byGustave CookPersonal detailsBornJune 10 1830Richmond Virginia USDiedMay 16 1909Houston Texas USResting placeHouston Texas USPolitical partyRepublicanSpouseNancy AllenResidence s Houston Texas USOccupationCarpenter Contractor Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 See also 6 References 7 Further readingEarly life editBorn into slavery in Richmond Virginia in 1830 Allen was taken to Texas as a child when his master migrated there in 1837 1 While still enslaved Allen gained a reputation as a skilled carpenter Career editAfter emancipation following the American Civil War Allen went into business as a contractor He built a mansion for Joseph R Morris Mayor of Houston He also built one of the first bridges across Buffalo Bayou 2 Allen first entered public service in 1867 working as an agent for the Freedmen s Bureau a federal organization created to assist emancipated slaves He joined the Republican Party In 1868 he won a seat to represent Harris and Montgomery counties in the Texas Legislature serving in the Twelfth Legislature in 1869 He was re elected to the Thirteenth Texas Legislature but the election was contested The increasingly Democratic dominated legislature seated his Democratic opponent Gustave Cook instead 2 Allen worked to improve public education and to establish state pensions for Civil War veterans He served on the Texas House Roads and Bridges Committee 2 In 1870 Allen entered the race for the United States House of Representatives from his district but withdrew his candidacy during the early part of the Republican nominating process In his business life that year Allen co founded the Bayou City Bank in Houston In 1872 he won a street paving contract with the City of Houston 2 In 1878 Allen unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor he was the first African American in Texas to run as a candidate for a statewide office After leaving the legislature he continued to be active in the Republican Party He attended state and national conventions as a delegate until 1896 for more than two and a half decades 2 Allen also served as a quartermaster in the Texas militia He received a federal appointment as a US customs officer in Houston during a Republican presidential administration Personal life editAllen married and had five children He was a Baptist and was active in his church and in local community organizations Death editUpon his death in 1909 Allen was interred at the Olivewood Cemetery in Houston See also editHistory of the African Americans in HoustonReferences edit Alwyn Barr and Cary D Wintz 27 June 2017 Allen Richard Handbook of Texas Online Texas State Historical Association Retrieved 12 April 2018 a b c d e Merline Pitre 1986 Richard Allen the Chequered Career of Houston s First Black Legislator PDF Houston Review 8 2 79 88 Further reading editTexas Legislators Past amp Present Richard Allen Forever Free Nineteenth Century African American Legislators and Constitutional Convention Delegates of Texas Texas State Library Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Richard Allen Texas politician amp oldid 1215099232, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
