The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, Horatio

ALLEN, Horatio, civil engineer, was born in Schenectady, N.Y., in 1803, son of Prof. Benjamin Allen of Union College. He was graduated at Columbia College in 1823; studied law 1823-24, and later became a civil engineer for which natural tastes and mathematical attainments fitted him. His first practical work was as rodman in a party engaged on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. In 1824 he was made resident engineer of the work. His next engagement was in 1825 as resident engineer of the Delaware and Hudson canal company, under John B. Jervis, chief engineer. Early in 1827 the Delaware and Hudson canal company commissioned the young engineer to go to England, inspect the operations of the new motive power, and, if found practicable, to superintend the building of three engines suitable to the use of a road of sixteen miles, then in process of construction between the mines in the Lackawanna valley and the canal. He was, at the same time, to purchase the iron rails required for the road. In carrying out this commission he made the acquaintance of George Stephenson, inspected his plans and work, and also visited other locomotive builders and projectors, and witnessing the practical results of the operations on the Stockton and Darlington railway, he ordered engines of the type there used. When the "Stourbridge Lion" arrived in New York it was tested and sent to Honesdale, Pa., by boat. On its first trial, Aug. 9, 1829, some changes had to be made to accommodate it to the curves in the road. Mr. Allen ran the engine alone, as it was the opinion of all present that either its immense weight would break down the road, or that the curves would precipitate the monster into the creek thirty feet below. He says of this experience: "If there was any danger in the ride, I did not think it necessary to endanger the life and limb of more than one. I had never run a locomotive or any other engine before, but on Aug. 9, 1829, I ran the 'Stourbridge Lion' three miles and back to the place of starting." In 1829 Mr. Allen was appointed chief engineer of the South Carolina railroad, extending from Charleston, S. C., to Augusta, Ga. The road was completed in 1834, and was then the longest in the world. In 1834 Mr. Allen was married in Charleston, S. C., to Mary Moncrief, daughter of Rev. Dr. Simons, rector of St. Phillips church of that city. In 1888 he was appointed chief assistant engineer of the Croton water-works, and upon the completion of the aqueduct was made a member of the board of water commissioners. In 1842 he was connected with the Novelty iron works, which furnished engines for all the steamships and war vessels built in America at that time as well as some for foreign vessels. The company was dissolved in 1870 and Mr. Allen retired from business. He was for a time president of the Erie railway and for years its consulting engineer. He was also consulting engineer of the Panama railroad company. His last official position was that of consulting engineer of the East River bridge of New York and Brooklyn. His interest in education led him to prepare primary works on arithmetic and algebra, to meet the needs of younger pupils; he also published a work on astronomy, and invented an orrery and other astronomical instruments for school use. The University of the city of New York conferred on him the degree LL.D. in 1857. He died at Montrose, N. J., Dec. 31, 1889.