Edward Allen, an enterprising, experienced contractor who has also found time to serve his fellow-townsmen as city trustee, thereby doubly earning the esteem and endorsement of many, was born in Monterey, February 21, 1856, the son of Thomas and Jane Allen-the former an Irishman by birth, the latter of English parentage. Thomas Allen came to California about 1850 and located in Monterey. His home, in which his son Edward was born, was the first frame house in California, a plain structure put together in Australia and shipped ’round the Horn, and long an object of particular interest in Monterey, until it was razed to the ground a couple of years ago, to make way for an oil station. Thomas Allan died when his son Edward was about six months old, so that he knows little of his father.
Edward Allen attended the public schools of Monterey and in boyhood began to work in a grocery store where he remained for four years, but having more than ordinary ambition he apprenticed himself to an apothecary and for six years followed the drug business. Disliking indoor life, however, and longing for the open, the young man learned the carpenter trade, and after going to San Francisco, he worked in the Bay City as a carpenter for eight years. Unfortunately he and his family were there at the time of the great earthquake and fire and, like thousands of others, lost all that they had acquired. Inspired by the common-sense counsel and unwavering faith of his wife, Mr. Allen returned to Monterey and now they have no regrets that once more their lines were cast in such pleasant places.
Mrs. Allen was Miss Almas Fussell, of Iowa, before her marriage; and she has become the mother of three children and grandmother of seven. Viola has married and become Mrs. L. Schultz; Raymond is the only son; and Myrtle is Mrs. Henry Jung. They constitute a happy family circle, with many social connections.
Mr. Allen is a progressive republican, and he is now serving his second term as a city trustee. He has also acted as health officer and he has worked hard and consistently for municipal progress, particularly for improvement of sanitary conditions in Monterey. What he is especially proud of, however, is his instrumentality in putting through the much-debated paving program, resulting in great improvement in the streets.
Source: History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California : cradle of California’s history and romance : dating from the planting of the cross of Christendom upon the shores of Monterey Bay by Fr. Junipero Serra, and those intrepid adventurers who accompanied him, down to the present day. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1925.