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Below is a family biography included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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JOHN H. ALLEN, superintendent of public instruction of Bedford County, was born November 19, 1848, son of William and Elizabeth (Ray) Allen. The parents were born in 1824 and 1827, respectively. The ancestors of our subject emigrated from Smith County, Tenn., to Illinois, and after remaining there some time moved to Bedford County, where our subject was born. William Allen was a tiller of the soil and the father of five children — four of whom were reared to maturity. These are Isaac S., Sarah, James E. and John H. The father was a pious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a respected citizen of the county in which he lived. His death, which occurred in 1874, was universally regretted by all who knew him. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Allen has been living with the subject of this sketch. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject, at the age of nineteen, left the farm and, having had the advantage of a good English education, chose school-teaching as his profession. He has given the best of satisfaction where he has taught, and is considered quite a success as an educator. In 1885 he was elected superintendent of public schools of Bedford County, and by his energy and untiring zeal has done much to further the advancement of the schools of the county. November 10, 1881, he married Miss Susan E. Hobbs, and two children have blessed this union: Lora V. and Ewitt P. Mr. Allen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which he has been a steward for eight or ten years.
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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed. The History of Bedford County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee
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