The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, Heman (lawyer)

ALLEN, Heman, lawyer, was born in Poultney, Vt., Feb. 23, 1779, son of Heber Allen, and nephew of Ethan Allen. In 1795 he was graduated from Dartmouth college, and after studying law he was appointed, in 1808, sheriff of Chittenden county, Vt., serving two years. From 1811 to 1814 he was chief justice of the county court, and from 1812 to 1817 a member of the lower house of the state legislature. While in the latter body he received the appointment of quartermaster of militia, with the title of brigadier-general. In 1817 he was elected a representative in Congress, but resigned the following year to accept from President Monroe the position of United States marshal for the district of Vermont. In 1823 President Monroe appointed him United States minister to Chili, where he remained until 1828. He married Elizabeth Hart, one of "the seven graces of Stratford." He resigned in 1828, and from 1830 to 1836 was president of the United States branch bank at Burlington; and at the expiration of its charter he removed to Highgate, Vt., where he died April 9, 1852.