The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, William (jurist, 1822–1891)

ALLEN, William, jurist, was born at Brunswick, Me., March 31, 1822, son of William Allen, president of Bowdoin college, and grandson of Thomas Allen, the "fighting parson" of Bennington fame. At the age of sixteen he entered Bowdoin college in his native town, but removed to Northampton before completing his studies, and entered Amherst college, where he was graduated in 1842. The following year he spent in studying law at Yale college, and in 1845 he was admitted to the bar in Northampton, where he practised twenty-seven years. In 1872 he was appointed a judge of the superior court and in 1881 he was raised from that position to the bench of the supreme court of Massachusetts, holding the office during the rest of his life. He died in Northampton, Mass., June 4, 1891.