Richard Allen (Texas politician)
| Richard Allen | |
|---|---|
| Texas State Representative for District 14 (Harris County) | |
|
In office February 8, 1870 – March 22, 1873 | |
| Succeeded by | Gustave Cook |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
June 10, 1830 Richmond, Virginia |
| Died |
May 16, 1909 Houston, Texas |
| Resting place | Houston, Texas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Allen |
| Residence | Houston, Texas |
| Occupation | Carpenter, Contractor |
Richard Allen (June 10, 1830 – May 16, 1909) was a carpenter, contractor, businessman, and African-American Republican politician who was elected to two terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
Early Life
Born into slavery in Richmond, Virginia, in 1830, he was brought to Texas in 1837.[1] While a slave he built a reputation as a skilled carpenter.
Career
After emancipation, he became a contractor. He built the mansion for Mayor Joseph R. Morris of Houston as well as one of the first bridges across Buffalo Bayou.[2]
Allen first entered public service in 1867 as an agent for the Freedman's Bureau, an organization created to assist emancipated slaves. Two years later, he won an election to serve Harris and Montgomery counties in the Texas Legislature. During his two terms, he worked for the improvement of education and for establishing pensions for Civil War veterans. He served on the Texas House Roads and Bridges Committee.[2]
In 1870, Allen co-founded the Bayou City Bank in Houston. He also won a street paving contract with the City of Houston in 1872.[2]
He became active in Republican politics and was elected to the Twelfth Legislature in 1869. He entered the race for the United States House of Representatives in 1870, but withdrew his candidacy during the early part of the Republican nominating process. He was re-elected to the Thirteenth Texas Legislature, but the election was contested, and his Democratic opponent, Gustave Cook, was seated in his place. He unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor in 1878, the first member of his race to seek statewide office in Texas. Even after leaving office, he was active in the Republican party, attending state and national conventions until 1896 (for over two and a half decades).[2]
Allen also served as a quartermaster in the Texas militia and as a customs officer in Houston. He was active in his church and in local community organizations. He was married and had five children.
Death
Upon his death in 1909, he was interred at the Olivewood Cemetery in Houston.
See also
References
- ↑ Alwyn Barr and Cary D. Wintz (27 June 2017). "Allen, Richard". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Merline Pitre (1986). "Richard Allen: the Chequered Career of Houston's First Black Legislator" (PDF). Houston Review. pp. 79–88.
Further reading
- Texas Legislators: Past & Present - Richard Allen
- Forever Free: Nineteenth Century African-American Legislators and * Constitutional Convention Delegates of Texas
- Findagrave - Richard Allen