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Below is a family biography included in The History of Sumner 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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Hon. B. F. Allen, attorney at law, of Gallatin, was born in Sumner County in 1826, a son of John and Latitia (Saunders) Allen. The father was of Irish descent, born in 1776, in Pennsylvania. In his youth he went to Virginia; soon after immigrated to Smith County, Tenn., and spent several years. He came to Sumner County about 1807, locating in Gallatin, when the following eighteen or twenty years he was engaged in merchandising. He then purchased about 800 acres of land on the Cumberland River and began farming, so continuing until his death in 1833. His wife was of Scotch origin, a native of North Carolina, born in 1792, and died in 1832. His parents came to Sumner County about 1796 and settled on the Cumberland River. Her father was an extensive land holder of that day. Our subject was bereft of his parents when a mere lad, and made his home with his brother. His education was acquired in the academy at Gallatin, and the University of Nashville where he graduated in 1844, receiving the degree of A. B. The following year he began the study of law, under tuition of his brother, Judge George W. Allen, and two years later was admitted to the State bar. After the war he formed a partnership with the above mentioned brother, which continued until the death of Geo. W. in 1881. Judge G. W. Allen was attorney-general of Sumner, Davidson and Williamson Counties for eight years, and judge of the Sumner County Court the same length of time. He was one of the most brilliant and able members of his profession. January 31, 1850, our subject married Miss Laura, eldest child of Gen. Wm. and Mary (Bugg) Trousdale. Mrs. Allen was born in Gallatin in 1828; is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and mother of Alice, wife of W. W. Berry, a druggist of Nashville; Wm. T. and M. D. of Gallatin; Valeria, Frank C. and Louise. Our subject is a life-long Democrat; cast his first presidential vote for Lewis Cass in 1848. He belongs to the I. O. O. F.; has taken all the degrees. He is a competent and successful lawyer, efficient business man, and honored citizen. He has devoted himself to the practice of his profession, and has never sought public office.

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This family biography is one of 115 biographies included in The History of Sumner County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Sumner County was included within The History of Sumner, Smith, Macon & Trousdale Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Sumner, Smith, Macon and Trousdale Counties of Tennessee

View additional Sumner County, Tennessee family biographies here: Sumner County, Tennessee

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