The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, Elisha Hunt

ALLEN, Elisha Hunt, jurist, was born at New Salem, Mass., Jan. 28, 1804, son of Samuel C. Allen, a lawyer. In 1823 he was graduated at Williams college, studied with his father, and two years later was admitted to the bar, beginning practice in Brattleboro. He subsequently removed to Bangor, Me., where he served in the legislature and represented his district in the 27th Congress as a Whig, but was defeated for the 28th Congress. He removed to Boston in 1847, and was elected to the house of representatives of the state in 1849. President Taylor made him United States consul at Honolulu in 1849, and he performed the office so acceptably that the Hawaiian government made him first minister of finance, and then chief justice. The latter office he retained for twenty years. Important negotiations were conducted between the United States and the Hawaiian governments during this term, and upon his return to America he, at various times, was the accredited minister of the Hawaiian kingdom at Washington. He was dean of the diplomatic corps at the time of his death, which occurred Jan. 1, 1883.